Chapter 5: Departure

Pride Rock, 19th January 2015. 7:10 am...

Code Red's optics snapped open the moment he heard Kiara shout in alarm. Eons of training kicking in, Code Red was up on his feet, weapons at the ready within seconds.

Only when he had ascertained that there was no threat to Kiara, Code Red retracted his weapons and turned to Kiara.

He could immediately tell she'd just woken up from a nightmare. Her eyes were wide, and Code Red could see the fear within them. "Bad dream?" He asked.

Kiara looked to Code Red, and her stance relaxed. Nodding, she said: "It was horrible."

Code Red sighed. "Want to talk about it?" He asked.

Kiara looked around, and nodded. "But not here." She said.

Code Red nodded himself. "Let's go outside."

Together, the two stepped outside into the morning light, watching the sun slowly rise into the sky.

Sitting down, Code Red asked. "What happened?"

Kiara shuddered. "I was… I was running. You were right there with me, just telling me to run, and never look back. I felt like I'd been running for days. I was tired, my legs were killing me, and I felt like I could collapse at any moment."

Code Red nodded, and gestured for Kiara to continue.

"All around me, I could hear the sounds of fighting. It was like we were in the middle of a full scale battle. I knew that if I did stop running, or if I looked back, it'd spell certain death. Then suddenly, Crossfire appeared right in front of us. You told me to keep running, and I did. I didn't stop until I heard you shout in pain. I turned back, and… And Crossfire had killed you."

Code Red's optics widened.

"I… I felt this overwhelming sense of desperation, and in that moment I just roared at Crossfire. I don't know if it was in defiance or what. But whatever it was, it didn't faze him. He just laughed and shot me." Kiara sighed. "And that's when I woke up."

Code Red looked away. He'd never been one to believe in dreams, but something about Kiara's voice convinced him otherwise. He was well aware that one of Kiara's biggest fears was losing him, and for her to have a nightmare such as the one she had just described on the eve of Code Red's departure disturbed him.

Whatever it was, it made for a bad omen.

Sometime later…

"Is it just me, or did you two wake up earlier than usual?"

Code Red turned to see Simba stood there, eyeing him and Kiara curiously. Nodding, Code Red replied: "Yeah. Kiara had a bad dream last night."

Simba frowned. "What happened?"

Code Red sighed, looking to Kiara as if for approval.

Meeting Code Red's gaze, Kiara looked between him and her father, nodding.

Turning his head to meet Simba, Code Red replied. "She saw both me and her getting killed."

Simba's eyes widened, looking to Kiara. "You're sure of this?"

Kiara nodded. "I could hear Code Red telling me to run."

Simba frowned and shook his head. "On the eve of Code Red and Kion's departure, nonetheless. This doesn't make for a favourable omen."

"My sentiments, exactly." Code Red replied. "And that's coming from a 'bot that's never really put any stock behind this sort of thing."

Simba nodded. "Either way, I still recommend pressing forward with what was agreed. All promises should be honoured, and this one is no exception. But as an additional precaution, I'll ask Malka if the Lion Guard can accompany Kion. Both as a form of protection for him, and moral support. It'll grant you peace of mind, not to mention the ability to pursue your mission of eliminating the Decepticon threat without needing to worry after Kion."

"Wouldn't that leave the Pride Lands defenceless?" Kiara asked.

Simba chuckled. "Not with me still around." He said with a grin.

"What happened to your retirement?" Code Red asked, sending Kiara into peals of laughter.

Simba's grin instantly faded. "Are we still running with that joke?" He asked exasperatedly.

Code Red shrugged. "What was I supposed to do, let the opportunity to ridicule you one last time before departure fade away?"

Simba rolled his eyes. "Well, thank the Great Kings that I won't have your jokes to deal with while you're gone."

Code Red smirked. "Leaves me all the opportunity to make Kion's life a living hell." He replied. "Hell, might include Malka and his ilk in the fun."

Simba groaned. "No-one escapes your mockery, do they?"

"Nope." Code Red replied. "Except Nala, Sarabi, Timon, Pumbaa, Sarafina, Rafiki, Ma Tembo, and a few other individuals whom I hold in the highest regard."

"What about me?" Kiara asked.

Code Red smirked. "You're my best friend. That doesn't mean you make the list."

Kiara pouted and looked away.

Simba chuckled and said: "I'll leave you two alone." With that, he took his leave.

Later…

"Code Red, we're ready."

Code Red looked up to see Overclock looking towards him. Nodding, Code Red stood up and walked out of the Royal Den, finding a sombre scene:

Simba, Nala and Kiara were all gathered around Kion and the Lion Guard, saying goodbyes and wishing them all the best on this expedition.

Malka was nearby, watching the scene sombrely.

Kiara was the first to notice Code Red, and so ran over, her expression sad. "It's definitely going to be weird not having you around." She remarked.

"Tell me about it." Code Red replied, kneeling down so that he was not so large.

Sighing, Kiara said: "I'll miss you."

"Same here, Ki-Ki." Code Red replied, using the shortened version of Kiara's name.

The two friends were silent for a while before Kiara moved closer and nestled against Code Red's foremost leg.

Code Red smiled and placed a hand over her, so that in a way, they were embracing.

"Don't be too long, okay?" Kiara asked.

"I won't." Code Red replied. Standing up, Code Red walked over to Simba and Nala, who were looking up at him alongside Kion.

"I'd say that I'll miss you, but I'd be lying." Simba said. "It'll be good not to have to hear you ridicule me, constantly."

"Well, enjoy the respite while it lasts, Simba." Code Red replied. "I'll be back long before you can even say: 'Nala, I want to fuck you right now'."

Immediately, Simba said: "Nala, I want to f-" Immediately, he stopped himself, as everyone around him, including Malka, burst out laughing. Groaning, Simba shook his head.

As the laughter died down, Code Red walked over to the Autobots he had selected to accompany him: Bombast, Doubletake, Frontline and Overclock. Eyeing them all, Code Red said: "Listen up. This mission shouldn't take long; a week at most. But for the entire duration, I want to make a few things clear: One, I don't want any Autobot alone at any time. Even Doubletake."

Doubletake uttered a small sound of disgust at this.

"Two, I want this mission to be completed as cleanly as possible." Code Red added. "There should be as little evidence of our presence as can be done. Three, we don't know how many Decepticons there are, so whatever you do, do not attack until we've ascertained how many there are at any given time. Clear?"

"Sir, yes sir!" The Autobots affirmed.

Nodding, Code Red turned to Malka, who had now been joined by Kion and the Lion Guard. "Ready?" He asked. Upon affirmation, he said: "Then let's roll out."

Everyone nodded and made to leave.

Code Red went to join them, but a voice from behind him caught his attention:

"One last thing, Code Red!"

Code Red turned to see Nala making her way over. Kneeling down, he stared at her intently as she said:

"Kion considers you his hero, Code Red." Nala said. "He may not show it all the time, but he idolises you. Look after him while you're gone, alright?"

Code Red nodded. "I understand fully, Nala. If Kion considers me his hero, then I'll do whatever it takes to remain so."

Nala smiled. "That's all I'm asking, Red. I know you can be counted on."

Code Red smirked. "I'll see you when I return, Nala. You'll be the first to know regarding Kion's embarrassing moments."

Nala giggled. "Looking forward to it. Now get going."

Code Red nodded before taking one last look at Pride Rock, then at Kiara, sharing an informal salute with his best friend. With those done, he turned and followed Malka, the Lion Guard, and the Autobots down and away from Pride Rock. Hopefully, this mission would not take long.

Not gonna lie, Code Red nearly tricking Simba into swearing has to be one of my favourite scenes I've ever written.

That said, let's answer some reviews, shall we?

Adam Carver: Well, Malka doesn't live in the Pride Lands, so I can see why he wouldn't appear. As for avenging Malka's friends... we'll see about that.

Daniel's the man 98: Jesus, you're jumping the gun a little bit. They at least need to get to know one another first.

Jason Chandler: I see what you did there. But yes, Code Red and Malka do get a kick out of cracking jokes at Simba's expense. Had to have something resembling a dynamic between Code Red and Malka, didn't I?

Jestalnaker94000: Yes, that is the question. Will Malka's daughter be nice and welcoming to Kion? Or will she be an entitled brat who turns Kion off of her straight away? Not sure about Kion's IRL romantic ventures, but I doubt he'll wind up with Tiifu or Zuri. They're bound to be a year older than him.

Mike Noland: I think I established Simba's lack of a sense of humour in the first chapter.

With those done, thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed the chapter. I shall see you next week with chapter six, which sees the reintroduction of the Decepticons.

T-Rock14