Chapter 4: A New Mission

Pride Rock, 11:30 am…

Code Red stepped onto Pride Rock to find Simba conferring with a lion he didn't recognise.

The lion in question bore bright golden fur, a large black mane and bright green eyes.

He was tall and broad of body, standing around an inch or so taller than Simba.

As Code Red listened in, it became apparent that Simba and this unknown lion were quite good friends.

Code Red quickly noticed Kiara a little off to one side, listening in to the conversation herself.

"What's going on?" Kion asked as he stepped onto Pride Rock.

Code Red looked down. "Looks to me like Simba has a friend over." He replied. Looking around, Code Red said: "Well, best introduce myself." With this, he called out: "Simba!"

Simba immediately looked over and nodded, motioning for Code Red to come closer. When Code Red had done this, he gestured to the lion he'd been talking to. "Code Red, this is Malka. He's an old friend of mine."

"Pleased to meet you, Code Red." Malka said. "I'd shake your hand, but I doubt anything good would come out of that."

"Pleased to meet you too, Malka." Code Red replied. "So tell me, what embarrassing facts can you tell me about Simba?"

"Oh no…" Simba groaned.

Malka laughed. "Well, I do know that in his youth, Simba attempted to jump into a very shallow pool of water." This immediately earned him a look of annoyance from Simba, which Malka ignored, gesturing to Kiara. "I'm actually surprised Simba was still able to produce children."

Code Red immediately cracked up laughing, as Simba looked to Malka.

"And now you see why I consider him the bane of my existence." Simba remarked.

"You only say that because you're an overprotective moron." Code Red replied. "And because your sense of humour is next to non-existent."

This made Malka burst out laughing himself, whilst Simba sighed in resignation.

As the laughter died down, Code Red asked: "Zazu tells me that you have a task for me. Care to tell me what that is?"

Simba's expression immediately became grim, although his eyes betrayed his relief at being spared further embarrassment. "Yes." He said. Gesturing to Kion, Simba added: "This task is for you well. Come over, Kion."

Kion nodded and trudged over to Code Red's side, sitting down.

Looking to Malka, Simba said: "It's best that you explain, Malka. You understand the situation better than I can."

Malka nodded before looking up at Code Red. "Several of my lions have spotted another member of your kind roaming our territory. We debated making contact with them, but before we could, we were attacked by that same individual. Several friends of mine were killed." Malka sighed. "We were completely taken by surprise. That… that monster came out of nowhere, as if it were completely invisible."

"Shadowstreak." Code Red growled.

"I'm sorry?" Malka asked.

"Shadowstreak. He's the Decepticon who attacked you." Code Red replied. "He's the head scout in the force of Decepticons stationed here in the Pride Lands, under the command of Crossfire."

"Shadowstreak." Malka remarked. "May as well rename him 'Yellowstreak'. It's no less than a coward like him deserves." Looking back to Code Red, Malka added: "All I want you to do is see off Shadowstreak before he becomes a real threat to me and my pride. There may be more than him, I don't know, but I recommend you bring others with you."

Code Red nodded. "That's perfectly fine to me, Malka." He said. Gesturing to Kion. "No offence to Kion, but I don't see why you'd need him. Me and Simba agreed upon the Lion Guard's reformation that they were not to take action against the Decepticons."

Malka nodded. "I'm well aware of that agreement, Code Red." Malka replied. "The Lion Guard is coming for a different reason. Or Kion is, for that matter."

Code Red folded his arms. "And what might that be?" He asked.

"Me and Simba have been discussing the idea of an alliance between our prides for years. It's not been until recently that we've really had that good of a chance to cement one. As it happens, I've got a daughter about Kion's age."

"Oh." Code Red remarked, realising precisely what Malka meant.

"So as well as dealing with the Decepticon threat to Malka's pride, your mission is to escort Kion to Malka's pride so that he can meet Malka's daughter." Simba said. "Hopefully, they like one another."

Code Red looked to Kion, then at Malka, and nodded. "Then I'm your bot."

"Excellent." Malka said. "We'll be leaving tomorrow morning. In the meantime, gather what Autobots you can spare and assemble a team to assist with the Decepticon problem." With that, Malka turned and entered the royal den with Simba, leaving Code Red alone with Kion and Kiara, the latter of whom walked up.

"Looks to me like Kion's getting a girlfriend, soon." Kiara said teasingly.

"Cut it out, Kiara." Kion said, starting to blush.

"I don't think you can cut it out." Code Red said. "It'll only grow back. And besides, you had to imagine the ladies would be coming for you soon enough. What with your good looks and everything."

"Guys, s-stop!" Kion protested, his face nearly red with how madly he was blushing.

"What, is my baby brother getting embarrassed?" Kiara asked.

"Yeah, what gives? You're becoming a big boy, now." Code Red joked.

"Guys, seriously, stop." Kion said, allowing a little anger to creep into his voice.

Sensing the change in tone, Code Red said: "Okay, okay. No need to turn into a giant demon lion that can smite me with one swipe of their paw."

"That'd actually be fun to watch." Kiara joked.

"Hey!" Code Red protested. "I never said you could turn on me!"

"Too bad!" Kiara replied. "Because I just did."

"Fuck you, I thought we were friends!" Code Red replied.

"We are." Kiara replied. "But even then, friends can still hate one another, sometimes."

"Shouldn't friendship be all about love and happiness?" Code Red asked.

"Not when one friend is being a foul-mouthed butthead." Kiara replied.

Code Red made to retort, when he noticed Kion was holding back laughter. "Care to explain what's so funny?"

"You two." Kion replied. "You bicker so much all the time, it's a wonder you're even friends at all."

"Oh, I just happened to save Kiara's life on multiple occasions, been the bane of your father's existence, all whilst being a guardian she actually enjoys the company of, unlike your dad's bug-eating buddies." Code Red retorted.

"Didn't you say something like that the day Kion was presented in the Pride Lands?" Kiara asked.

Code Red nodded. "And I stand by my assessment of myself to this day." He replied, folding his arms. Looking around, Code Red said: "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a meeting of my Autobots to call together." With that, he turned and took his leave, the mission heavy on his mind.

Sometime later…

"Thank Primus! Thought I was doomed to rust without ever scrapping another Decepticon!"

Code Red smirked at his teammate Bombast's jubilation at their mission. A confident and almost arrogant individual, Bombast's skill with explosives and ability for hand-to-hand combat had earned him a spot on Code Red's team. "We've got to get there first, Bombast." Code Red replied. "But once we do, feel free to blow up as many Decepticons as you can, provided they don't do the same."

"Ha! They'll do fucking nothing." Bombast declared.

"Someone's happy." Overclock said. "He was getting rather bored earlier."

"That's always bound to happen, Overclock." Code Red replied. He liked Overclock enough, but found his indifferent and overly logical attitude slightly off-putting.

"I have a good feeling about this." Frontline remarked. "We'll have the Decepticons dealt with in no time!"

"That's the spirit, Frontline." Code Red replied. Whilst some labelled Frontline as too much of an optimist, that personality had earned him some friends amongst the Pride Landers.

"Well, at least it's something different to roaming the Outlands aimlessly." Doubletake said. "There's so little there, just looking around is going to put me into stasis lock. Now can we go, now? Got things to do."

Code Red frowned. Of all of the Autobots Optimus had sent to him, Doubletake was the Autobot he liked the least. The scout's antisocial attitude and general coldness towards people had earned him few friends amongst the general populace.

Yet these were the four Autobots Code Red had chosen to accompany him and Kion on their trip to Malka's pride.

He figured four Autobots would be enough to see off any Decepticon force that was currently terrorising Malka's territory. Five, if he included himself in their number.

That would leave only Shockshot to safeguard the Pride Lands against any exterior threats until Code Red returned with the others.

Code Red smiled at this choice. Shockshot was by far the most experienced Autobot on his team, and for that reason, had been Code Red's selection as his second in command. Not only that, but his combat abilities were second only to, if not superior, than Code Red himself. Looking amongst his comrades, Code Red said: "That will be all. You're dismissed until tomorrow. See you then."

Once the majority of the Autobots had left, Code Red found himself alone with Shockshot.

Shockshot stood a good deal taller than Code Red at around twenty-five feet compared to Code Red's twenty feet, appearing to transform into some form of armoured assault vehicle. Armour coated his chassis from head to toe, yet his face bore scars from many a battle.

The front of the vehicle made up the veteran's chest, with the windshield and grille making up much of the chest and torso. Comprising Shockshot's large beefy arms were the sides of the vehicle, and the back of the assault vehicle created the Autobot's legs. In short, Shockshot looked every bit a warrior.

"Something does not seem right, Commander." Shockshot said. "This Malka does not strike me as the trustworthy type."

"Well, he's been friends with Simba for years." Code Red replied. And if Simba trusts him, then I know we can." Placing a reassuring hand on Shockshot's shoulder, Code Red added: "In the meantime, your job is to keep the Pride Lands protected. If anything goes down while me and the other Autobots are gone, I want to know about it."

Shockshot nodded. "I will do as you ask, Commander." Shockshot replied.

"Good." Code Red replied. "I'll see you tomorrow, before we depart." With that, Code Red transformed and took his leave, headed straight for Pride Rock. Part of him wished Malka hadn't come; but a different part of him relished the chance to once again battle the Decepticons.

Parties are a bitch. You go to one, they bore you out of your mind, and leave you too tired to do anything; like update your fanfiction on time.

But, now that is behind me, let us peruse the reviews:

Adam Carver: Glad you liked my characterisation of Bombast. And now you know. It was Malka.

Daniel's the man 98: Glad you enjoyed the chapter mate. Hope you enjoy this one, too.

Jason Chandler: Well, Code Red has been doing this sort of thing for a lot longer than Kion has. So naturally, Code Red would have a bit of advice or two to impart onto Kion. And don't all Transformers have weird names?

Jestalnaker94000: I think what Code Red is trying to say is that he feels like all him and the Autobots are good for is fighting and fending off Decepticons. Which is far from a bad thing, but Code Red is not the type of 'bot that enjoys being good for one thing alone. And while the Lion Guard are allies, Code Red sort of lets them do their own thing. Zazu knows to alert Code Red to trouble.

Mike Noland: Lions do tend to grow up quickly. And thanks for the concern regarding my foot. I should be getting the bandages and sutures removed next week. So there's that.

With that, I hoped you enjoyed this chapter. I shall see you next week with chapter five, which sees Code Red receive an ominous wake-up call.

T-Rock14