MEL

Actually, the truth was, I was already feeling dizzy. I think it was because of Riku. My heart was beating fast as if I had run four miles. Riku held onto m shoulder. His green eyes twinkled as he touched the magic within him. With a swirl of dark magic from him, I felt the magic with in me being used as well. He was also using my magic, there was also a mixture of white magic that surrounded us both. With both our magic working together, Riku warped us to the Pride Lands.

Next things I knew, I was lying on the ground.

"Ow….. my head…" Mumbled Axel.

I yawned and stretched out, then I sat down. I felt something brush against my thigh and so I jumped up… on four feet. I looked at them. I was standing on black fuzzy paws.

"Wha…"

My shoulders were covered in black fur and I even had a black tail, which had Riku's blindfold tied around.

"I-I'm a lion!" I cried excitedly.

When the Lion King movie came out, I had always pretended I was Simba. He was favorite character. Unfortunately, I never saw the other films of Lion King. Even though my dad was a mechanic…. I never really got out of the house. I felt like a giddy teenager about to meet her lifetime hero. I've felt like that with everyone I've met so far, except, I'm getting to the point where I don't get nervous. I watched Sora as he padded up to me, his tail was happily curling up into the air.

"So…what does it feel like to be a lion?" He asked.

"Great!" I roared.

I pounced on him and attacked his ear.

"Hey!" He cried with laughter.

We wrestled and it didn't feel awkward because now we were lions instead of boring humans.

"Hey, don't tell me you forgot about me…. Albino Lion….." Riku said.

His fur was white but his eyes were still the same strange sea green color. He also had a black spot right where his heart is. He had a full mane which some of it remained in his eyes; Sora had a smaller tufted mane. Most of it was spiky like his real hair. I fell to the ground at Riku's feet and pawed at his face. He playfully opened his jaws and bit my paw. Our lion instincts were kicking in. Donald flew in above us.

"Riku…. You stand out just as much as Melody does. It's strange though…. Shouldn't you two switch colors of fur??"

We glanced at each other and shrugged. I looked down at my own chest and saw a similar spot on my chest except it was white.

RIKU

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw movement. Mel saw it too. Her black tail flicked as she sat up. A gazelle was lying on the ground a few feet away. It was sort of a rusty red color and the hair between its antlers was red and spiky.

"Axel?" I said, trying to control my laughter.

His ears swayed back towards me. He stood up shakily on four feet and turned around. His bright green eyes focused on me.

"You're a white lion… with a spot. Albino Lion! Ooh! I know! I'll call you Spot! Bwahahahahaha!!" He laughed.

Melody's eyes grew big as she soaked in Axel's new form. She literally began rolling.

"You're a gazelle! Ha! Ha! You're like an African deer! Hah! Hah! Lion's prey!!" She cried.

Sora was sitting down and watching us all with an amused smile.

"No way….." Axel began.

He looked down at his legs. He lifted up a hoof and spread the split toes.

"Aw man! This stinks!" he cried.

He looked behind him and wiggled his little white fluffy tail. That put us all on the ground laughing.

"No! That's not fair! Why am I the stupid goat?! Why isn't melody the goat?!" He whined.

Within a flash, I heard a snarl, saw a black blue, and saw Axel get body slammed to the ground. His neck was playfully in Melody's mouth.

"Ah…. Point made perfectly clear…" He said with a nervous laugh.

"She's a born killer…." I agreed.

She let go of his throat then wrapped her muscular front legs around his neck as he remained on the ground. She stuck her tongue out and began licking the top of Axel's head.

"No! Gah!! Not the hair!" He shrieked.

"I've always wanted to do that…" She said cheerfully.

Her icy blue eyes dazzled me for a second. She seemed so happy right now. She seemed to be her vivacious self.

"You've always wanted to lick someone's hair?" Goofy asked.

"No, Silly. I've always wanted to attack someone and make them scream like a girl…" She said with an evil grin.

"I do not scream like a girl…."

"You want to run that by me again?" She asked. "Ask anyone here. They all heard it, Ha! Ha!" She laughed.

"Alright fine. So I scream like a girl, sometimes…. At least I don't look like one."

"Me too. If you did I think I might be a little afraid…" I chimed in.

We all joined in laughter again. Melody trotted over towards Sora then attacked his tail. She tugged on it as I pounced on her. She let out a snarl as I playfully chomped on her shoulder blade. She flopped down at my feet again. I yawned and let my tongue out to pant.

It sure is hot out here…

Melody closed her eyes and panted in agreement. I watched her carefully. Suddenly my stomach seemed to crawl up to my throat. I felt like I went down a steep hill way too fast.

What's wrong with me??

Her eyes opened and looked straight into mine. The feeling grew worse. Something was calling out to her… I could feel it…

"Melody."

Her ear twitched.

"What?" She asked.

Her bright blue eyes looked up at me expectantly.

"I didn't say anything."

"You called my name…"

"No I didn't…"

She studied me for a few seconds then laid down. I sat down and began to drum the fuzzy tip of my tail against the ground.

What is this??

Suddenly, Mel sat up with her eyes wide open. Her ears swiveled around.

"What's wrong?" Axel asked as he pranced over.

His little tail was standing up as he pranced like a proud little pony. Sora couldn't help but laugh as I held in mine. Her jaw dropped open as she got up and looked at the empty Savannah behind her.

"I think….. someone is in trouble. I know it sounds crazy but it's like I can feel her calling for help."

"Her?" Axel asked.

"Well….. the King said that the one with the Purest of Hearts is the connection to all the light in hearts. Just like Riku is the connection to all the darkness in hearts. As Riku can sense darkness, you'll be able to sense light." Goofy said.

She closed her eyes and concentrated.

"Come on… follow me!"

SORA

I knew there was a spark between Riku and Melody now…. But how long would it take for them to notice it? They may both think it's a crush, but I know it's more than that. Their hearts are calling for each other. Melody truly is the one for Riku. But right now was not the time to be thinking about that. Melody took off running and we all chased after her. Axel was happily leaping along beside me. We came to the top of a large hill and saw a billow of smoke. In the distance we could see Pride Rock, to the far left.

"Come on!" Mel cried.

She ran again and it was hard for me to keep up. Riku as hot on her tail, and Axel stayed back with me.

"Donald! Go to Pride Rock and find Simba! Let him know we're here and describe everyone so he know who's with us." I said.

"Okay."

MEL

I could finally see the flames in front of me.

"Wait! Melody!"

It was too late. I dove right into the flames.

"Where are you?!" I cried out.

I heard a familiar shriek that sent shivers down my spine. I hadn't heard that noise since my world disappeared. I made my Keyblade appear into my mouth. Riku jumped through the fire and landed next to me.

"Come out! I know you're there!" I growled.

I heard the squeal again but didn't see the Heartless.

"Mel!" Riku cried as I followed the noise.

I jumped over a fallen tree and was surrounded by flames. My lion instincts panicked and told me to run but I had to fight them back so I could stay. I heard a small cough and looked to my left. A lioness about my size was lying on the ground, surrounded by Heartless.

They must have been the ones to start the fire…

I quickly put down my keyblade and began to touch my magic.

RIKU

I jumped over the dead tree and saw Mel's eyes turning white. Heartless surrounded another lion on the ground.

Was that Sora? No…. Sora is a darker brown. This one looks like a lioness, like Mel.

Mel opened her mouth and a supersonic burst of dark aura came from her mouth. Then she quickly appeared in front of the lioness and protected them both using her dark shield. I was really glad that the first magic she used in a real battle was the spells I taught her. I'm not sure why I was glad…. Maybe it made me proud? I don't know. I was in a mixture of feelings. After the Heartless were taken care of, I ran over to Mel. She used her paw and lifted the lioness's chin.

"She's still breathing but we need to get her out of here."

Sora, Axel, and Goofy finally made it to us at that moment.

"Where's Donald?" I asked.

"I sent him to find Simba." Sora answered.

"Good." Mel said, "I have a feeling that this is his daughter?"

"What? Why do you think that?" Sora asked.

"It just came to me is all. My intuition, I guess."

"Pile her on my back so we can get out of here." I said.

Melody picked the lioness by the scruff of her neck with her teeth, gently, as I crouched down. Axel and Sora helped make sure she didn't fall off as I carried her.

MEL

I smelled something else. Riku carried the lioness off, Sora and Axel made sure she didn't fall off of Riku's back and Goofy lagged behind them. My lungs were aching and my eye began to burn. Someone else was here other than just us. He had light in his heart, but his heart as embedded with fragments of darkness. My eyes scanned the area, but I could not figure out where it was coming from.

"Melody! Are you coming?!" Sora called.

"Uh…. Yeah…."

I took one more glanced around then I heard everyone yell and holler. I ran through the flames and called out but no one answered. There was a break in the flames and so I jumped through it. There was no ground, only a forty-foot cliff. I hit the rocks hard and tumbled down into the water. I didn't have enough energy to swim, I was so sore. My head went underwater but then someone took my by the scruff of the neck, which tickled, and pulled me up to shore.

"Are you alright?" Said a voice.

I was breathing heavily but I lifted my head and saw a huge golden lion looking down on me. Simba was who rescued me.

"I'm fine…" I coughed.

Sora padded over with Axel and Riku along side him.

"She's the last one. We've got our full party now. She's also the one who saved Kiara."

Simba smiled down upon me.

"Thanks for saving my daughter. You have my trust and whoever is a friend of Sora's is a friend of mine. You're welcome here anytime you like."

"Oh, thank you but you should know that it wasn't just me that saved her. All of us worked together."

AXEL

When I first saw Simba I thought I was going to let loose a lot of cheesecake. I seriously thought I was going to be his next meal. Though, he only looked at me, nodded, then carried on his way. Sora eventually explained to me that he already knew who was a friends and who was not food. Simba smiled at Mel as she stood up. Riku walked over to her and touched her with his nose.

"Are you okay? I mean…. Really?"

"Yes," She laughed, "I'm fine."

"Come on. Nala and the rest of the pride will want to see you. I'm sure that you, Melody, and Kiara will get along quite well."

"M-more lions??" I asked uneasily. "They're not gonna eat me…. Are they?"

I heard Mel laugh and Simba show some amusement.

"No… no one will eat you, I promise. Now, let's go."

MEL

I glanced around and saw Kiara talking to Riku.

"I've never seen a white lion before…." She said.

Her eyes were sparkling as she batted her lion eyelashes. My chest grew tight and my heart felt like it was going to rip itself out of my chest and kick some lion butt. I tried my hardest to hide my jealousy, though. I don't think I had ever been that jealous. I put on an authentic smile and calmly walk over to them.

"Hello…. My name is Melody. You must be Kiara."

"So….. you're the one who found me. Thanks…. I guess."

"You guess?" Riku asked.

"Well… my dad won't let me do anything on my own…. Today, I was hunting for the first time….but I found Timon and Pumba spying on me again. My dad just doesn't trust me."

"I know it may get annoying at times, but you should be thankful for all that you have. I would love to hear my dad telling me to be careful…..or my mom asking me to help her bake a cake. I really miss it…." I said sadly.

I looked up at Riku and his eyes softened and showed a lot of sympathy. We followed Sora and Simba through the Savannah. The scent came again and I glanced over my shoulder. In the tall grass I saw a pair of glowing eyes.

"What's wrong, Melody?" Riku asked.

"Um…… nothing…… nothing…"

I forced myself to look away. Riku and Kiara continued to talk and laugh. I felt my ears droop and my tail sag as we came closer to Pride Rock. Axel lagged behind with me and slowly hopped to my pace.

"What's bushing up your fur?" He asked.

"Nothing….. I just…." My eyes lifted up towards Riku and Kiara.

Axel followed my gaze and a small grin spread across his angular face

"Oh… you… uh… getting jealous, huh?"

"Maybe a little….. but mostly, I sort of feel out."

"I know I'm not a good advice giver….. but I say that you are jealous and you should talk to him about it."

"Are you kidding?! And tell him that I believe he is the one my heart has been calling out to since I was a little girl?! No way! I can't do it…"

"Why not?"

"Because…… he may not….. he may not care…."

"He's your friend….. he will always care…."

"You told me that you had fallen for someone too….. what did you do?"

AXEL

I stunned. She was the one I was falling for and she doesn't know it. I haven't done anything about it. I was hoping it would just….. go away.

"Well….. the truth is…" I stopped walking and lowered my head.

"What? What is…………oh…"

I lifted my head up. Sometimes she might have one of those moments but she's really smart, sweet, and so pure spirited. That's what I like about her. She walked over to me and nudged me with her nose. Her icy blue eyes looked up at me.

"I'm sorry, Axel. I should have seen it before. You're a sweetheart and you're cute but you're like a brother to me…."

"I know. I knew already. That's why I never said anything, but that's my way of approaching things…. I don't." I laughed. "But you speak your heart, you have no reason to hide what's inside it. You have to realize that you're heart is almost pure and if you speak it, the stronger you and your heart will grow. I finally spoke mine and I feel better already. You and Riku both need to just talk about it. I think he's realizing the same things as you, he's just hiding it because he doesn't want to become too close with someone. He still has a lot of regret in his heart."

"Yeah….. but I really am sorry. You're my best friend and my brother. I mean… Sora's also becoming those things…. But you're the original. No one could ever replace you.

She put her cheek against my neck and sighed. It was a lion hug.

Aww….

"now…. Let's catch up to everyone else…" Melody said.

"Do me a favor though. Try not to get jealous. If Riku can sense darkness then he can probably sense dark emotions in your heart. Jealousy is a big one, especially for him. Just keep that in mind. Also, Riku has much light in his heart, he would never forget who his friends are."

Mel walked in font of me. Her ears stood straight up and she held her head confidently. She was in a totally different mood. Now, I feel like I can let her go. I love her, but only as a little sister. Perhaps that's all I had to do in the first place. I needed to get my heart in the open. It was hard but it made the crush go away, which is what I wanted.

SORA

We got to Pride Rock and the sun was just beginning to set. Nala ran forward and hugged Kiara.

"Oh Kiara! I'm so glad you're okay. Thank you all for saving her." She said to us all.

We all nodded and smiled.

"So… have any Heartless been bothering you lately?" I asked Simba.

"Not really…. But Zeera has been the worst of it all…"

"Zeera?" Mel asked.

"Scar's wife. I had banished Scar's pride from the Pride lands because they still believed that Scar should've been King. Now Zeera has a son, Kovu, who has raised him to believe that he should own the throne…. Not me…"

"So what can we do to help?" Axel asked.

"I actually haven't Heartless in a long while, but fight them if you see any. Also, keep an eye out for each other. I'm not sure what Kovu is capable of, but since the blood of Scar runs through his veins, I'm sure it's not good."

"Simba…. I'm not trying to go against your better judgement, but just because Kovu has much darkness buried in his heart, that doesn't mean he can't change. What if you're wrong about him?"

Simba closed his eyes and sighed.

"I only wish it were that easy. I can tell that you're free spirited and you believe anything is possible. You're mind and heart are always opened for opportunities and possibilities, but unlike you, mine are not. I guess we'll just have to wait until something occurs." Then Simba went inside the Pride's Lair within Pride Rock.

Nala followed and Kiara turned to face us.

"Melody…. I've met Kovu as a cub and I believe in what you said. I believe he has some light in his heart. He just needs to see it…"

Whoa… Kiara and Melody really are similar…

"Anyway… you are all welcome to come in. You all can sleep next to me if you like…"

"That's a great offer…. But I think I want to sleep under the stars for the night. They seem to be glowing especially bright tonight. I will be sure to do that tomorrow night." Melody said with a smile.

This shocked me. She wanted to be by herself in a world she doesn't exactly know??

MEL

I looked at everyone.

"Don't worry…. I'm fine. I just have a lot of thinking to do." I said reassuringly.

Kiara nodded as she went inside the dark lair. Donald, Goofy, and Sora followed her. Axel took a second glance at me then reluctantly followed everyone else. I walked to a nearby rock and cuddled up against in like a housecat basking in the sun.

"Are you sure you want to be by yourself?" Riku asked.

I lifted up my head and examined his greenish-blue eyes. He seemed to be a little worried. I played a smile.

"If I need anything, I'll meow. How does that sound?" I said.

"Okay…." Then he also went inside.

For once I was really alone. It was cool outside and because it was the Savannah, the temperature continued to drop. I was shivering but I fell asleep anyhow. That night I dreamt about Kairi. She was standing alone on the beach of 'Paradise Island' tucking a tendril of hair behind her ear. She smiled silently as she watched the sunset go down. She envisioned everyone there; Sora, Riku, Axel, and even me. She missed us terribly and begged deep in her heart that we would all return safely. She also hoped that I would find a way to outsmart my fate and come back with Riku and Sora. Her hair blew softly in the wind as the last rays of the sun disappeared over the horizon. Then is finally grew so cold that I woke myself up by shivering. I yawned and saw my breath in the air. I closed my eyes and tried to go back to sleep but I was so cold, I couldn't. There was a thump next to me and sudden warmth. I opened my eyes and found Riku lying against me. His eyes glowed against the stars. He seemed to say, 'You should have told me.' Then Sora came out and laid down right in front of me. I put my chin on him and used him as a pillow. Axel had followed and squeezed in between the rock and I. Even Donald and Goofy came out. Donald crawled over Riku then to me and comfortably sat on my back. Goofy came under my over sized paw and laid down between my extended forearms. Riku's tail flicked into my face. I looked up at him and he smiled in the moonlight. He seemed to say, 'Better, huh. See everything is better when you have your friends with you.' I wrapped smiled as I wrapped one of my forearms around his neck and we all huddled together and stayed perfectly warm through out the night.

When I woke up, the strange scent wavered through the air, it was close again. I had to pry myself from Riku and Sora's grip and I managed to do so without waking either one of them up.

I can't believe Riku is sleeping. Aww…. He looks so….

I quickly shook that thought I our of my head.

He's a friend! A FRIEND!! But I wonder what helped him get to sleep…

I turned around and jumped down a few rocks and trotted a little ways from Pride Rock. In front of me was a large boulder and right behind me towered Pride Rock. I ran around the boulder, hoping I would catch the culprit, but nothing was there except a small water hole. I realized that I was quite thirsty so I looked around me, then began to lap up the cold water. I heard the snap of a twig and before I could look behind me, I black out.

RIKU

I woke up to find Melody was gone. What was more astonishing to me, was the fact that I fell asleep. How did I though? Was it because……. Or Melody?? As I pondered this, I looked around but I didn't see her anywhere but I knew something was wrong. I stood up and carefully stepped over everyone. I walked toward the edge of Pride Rock so I could see across the landscape.

"Riku!" Said a voice.

I quickly turned around, almost expecting to see Mel, but it was only Kiara.

"Oh…. Hello." I said disappointedly.

"Whatcha doin'?" She asked.

"I can't find Melody."

"Oh…" She seemed to sigh.

I walked to the very edge and scanned the area. Something told me to look at the huge boulder not far in front of Pride Rock. Just behind it was a small pool of water.

Hmmm

Then I saw a lion….a dark one, almost like Sora, but instead this one had a full black mane. I noticed something dangling over his back. I knew almost instantly what it was.

"Melody!" My heart bellowed.

It almost hurt. I roared angrily then clenched my teeth. I turned around and ran past Kiara, and passed everyone as they woke up asking 'what's wrong?'. Even Simba emerged from his lair to ask, but I was angry and worried.

"Hurry! Get Melody! Hurry!" My heart screamed.

I jumped down from rock to rock some of them I tripped over. I finally hit the ground, but I immediately darted toward the strange lion. The darkness in his heart was somewhat strong, but it had many flaws. The fur on the back of my neck stood as I growled menacingly. The lion must have been about my age, in lion terms. He was about the same size and he had just as much of mane as I did. He looked at me amused, as if saying, 'You are challenging me?'

"What are you doing with her?! I snarled.

"Bringing her back to Pride Rock. Those heartless things attacked her. I saved her."

His darkness scent grew a little stronger. He was lying. Simba came up beside me.

"What are you doing in the Pride Lands?"

"I left the others. I am a rogue and I now humbling ask to join your pride…"

"No!" He roared.

Nala and the rest of the party came behind me along with Timon and Pumba, a meerkat and a warthog that I met as I entered the lair. Melody was unconscious, but she was bleeding. I would've instantly cured her, but once a person that you want to cure is helplessly lost to the hands of you're enemy, there's nothing you can do. It's a stupid flaw in the world of magic. All magic has some sort of flaw and I hate that fact. I stomped my back right foot, impatiently.

"Put Melody down." I said in a low, agitated voice.

"As you wish…" Kovu said.

I knew this must've been Kovu. He let Melody slide off his back and she fell limply to the ground. I lunged to Mel's side and roared at Kovu so he would back off.

"Riku… calm down…" Sora whispered.

I looked over Mel carefully. She had deep gashes all over her and they look nothing like heartless markings.

SORA

Kiara looked Kovu and smiled. Simba, Kiara, and Kovu walked off. Timon and Pumba glanced at Riku nervously and the quickly scooted off. Riku seemed so upset. He closed his eyes and sighed. Green mist came from his chest and swirled around Mel. The blood was sucked back into the wounds and hen her gashed slowly melted together. Fur covered the scars and it was impossible to tell where she had been injured.

MEL

I opened my eyes slowly and looked up. Riku's eyes were a more bluish color then, and there were watching me tenderly. My heart stopped for a second to tell my mind, 'he has beautiful eyes.' I shook that thought from my head. I sat up and looked around. The sun was shining brightly over our heads. I felt better today… in fact I felt better than I had in months…. Years even. I smiled at everyone.

"So….. what did I miss?"

Axel stepped forward, his short fluffy tail wiggled back and forth quickly.

"You don't…. remember?" He asked.

"You were attacked. Did you not see what happened?"

"Well…. I picked up a strange scent and followed it out here. When I saw the pond I realized that I was thirsty. I was drinking the water when I heard a stick break. Before I could lift up my head and look over my shoulder, I blacked out. I don't know what happened. I didn't even feel a thing. I guess that's a good thing right? How bad was I?"

AXEL

I cleared my throat and Riku looked away.

"Let's just say we were worried. Kovu… the lion Simba told us to watch out for…..was the one who brought you in. Riku was out here confronting him before anyone else realized that you were missing…. No offense…" Sora said.

"None taken. I suppose it's my fault. I'm not experienced enough to go off on my own. I guess this will teach me to always be on my guard and to never leave my back unwatched. Thank you, Riku… for saving me again."

"I never said that…." He said as he looked down.

"I know…..but you did save me. You didn't have to say anything."

Riku glanced at her through the silvery white bangs of his man and smiled. A smile that only Sora and I seemed to notice.

MEL

"Well… what is this Kovu doing?" I asked.

"I think he's having a talk…. With Simba." Axel said.

"Well… while everyone else is occupied… can we explore? Please??" I begged.

Sora looked at Riku and he looked at Axel. Axel watched a bug walk by his left foot. I laughed as I began to walk off.

"Come on, you scary cats." I pleaded, "Let's go…"

"But…. What if Simba needs our help?" Sora asked.

"I'm sure he'll be fine in the time we'll be gone." I reassured.

"Okay….."

As I took off running everyone, including Donald and Goofy of course came with me. I had forgotten to tell everyone about my small dream of Kairi… but…..I wondered what she doing right now. Was she waiting on the beach from day to day like in my dream or was she sitting alone in her house, writing a letter to put in a bottle for us? Maybe she was happily hanging out with Tidus and Waka.

Kairi…. How are you doing?