***Part 3***

***The Return of Kiota***

***Chapter 1***

The familiar fields blanketed the dirt with their verdant and healthy tones. After traveling so much, the African landscape had all started to look the same; each pride chose their home for similar reasons regarding food and security. To any casual observer, they were all the same. Kiota, however, was not a casual observer. He knew the surrounding prides better perhaps than they did themselves. He had seen them at their best, then a few moments later at their worst after the death of a loved one. He knew how these lions reacted to both peace and conflict alike, which was more than most could say.

This pride was one that he remembered well; even the redundant African landscape was strikingly memorable. Due to some unknown natural phenomena, the dirt was a deep red tone that spread into everything and anything around it. The minerals darkened the water with the unique color, which in turn colored the nearby plants and flowers. Even the animals of the land held a noticeable crimson powdering in their fur from the earth's loose dirt and dust. To some it seemed unnatural and almost foreboding, but the occupying pride took the savannah's defining feature as a sign of strength and divine care.

Kiota pushed passed a bush of scarlet flowers towards the hilltop in which he knew the pride of King Tijan to live; or at least, that was how he had known them before. His paws pressed into the colored dirt, leaving a soft imprint, and Kiota thought back to his previous journey to this pride. He remembered leaving an identical footprint in the same colored dirt, and traveling in the same direction. It was interesting, he thought. He was approaching this family in the same way that he had the time before, but this time everything was different, even if it didn't look like it.

He remembered the pride well due to their noticeably red-toned fur. King Tijan had been like many other kings; he was strong willed, passionate, and friendly enough. He had also died like many others had; in shock, confusion, and complete suddenness. The young cub that he had left behind had cried openly with his mother and the other pride members. He had been a well loved ruler to say the least, and that fact made Kiota more nervous than any looming duel ever had. How would they receive him? Surely with hate, anger, and maybe even violence. The son… Ralif? Refin? His name escaped the rogue, but the now grown cub would surely want revenge of sorts for his father's death.

The potential for conflict made Kiota question his decision for what seemed like the thousandth time, but he pushed ahead through red-leaved bus, scaring up some small birds. There were no other prides nearby, and he had to start somewhere. Still, it might not end well.

A deep growl snapped Kiota from his thoughts, and he instinctively sunk into a combat stance.

"Who are you and what are you doing here?" a young, yet still grown lion said dangerously as he approached the rogue. The distinctively reddish hue emanating from his coat was a sure sign of his connection to Tijan's pride.

"I came here to see the king." Kiota replied calmly, forcing himself out of his fighting stance despite the lion's significantly threatening posture.

"Why?" he asked with seemingly excessive anger.

"I have an offer to make him… to make all of you."

The lion frowned, clearly irritated by the trespasser's explanation. "Our king isn't tremendously receptive of offers. You're wasting your time." He turned to walk away, but Kiota cut him off.

"If you don't mind, I'll be the judge of that."

The red-toned lion snarled aggressively. "Back off rogue! We have our own problems to deal with. We don't need you bringing in new complications!"

Kiota sighed and took a step back. It was clear that he wasn't going to be able to get his way through sheer forcefulness. "Alright, alright… I wasn't trying to mess with you, I just need to see your king."

The lion looked away for a moment with frustration and was silent.

"What's your name?" Kiota asked unsurely in an attempt to be friendly, a foreign gesture for him.

"Ralon." He said quietly, almost as a side thought.

Kiota blinked in surprise. Ralon! That was the cub's name! He stared in veiled surprise for several moments as he evaluated the now familiar lion. The more he looked, the more he was sure that this was Tijan's son.

"You're Tijan's son, aren't you?" he asked after a minute of silence.

Ralon's head snapped up sharply. "You knew my father?"

He felt a twang of guilt as he recalled how he had murdered the king. "More or less…"

The young lion nodded slowly. "Well… if you didn't know… he was killed."

Kiota nodded. He didn't recognize him. "I heard… I'm sorry."

Ralon nodded numbly, clearly having heard the phrase before. "You said that you wanted to see the king?"

Kiota blinked in confusion. "Wait… aren't you the king? You were his son…"

He nodded shortly before turning away. "There were… complications."

Kiota waited for him to elaborate, but he didn't. He refused the temptation to pry, and instead followed the younger lion through the red-hued savannah. He followed in silence, not really wanting to talk any more with his victim's child. Besides the fact that he was socially exhausted from the interaction, he didn't want to remind Ralon that he had never given his name. Maybe he didn't recognize his father's killer, but surely he would recognize the name. Hell, there weren't many prides that hadn't heard of him.

They walked for a while through the brush with seemingly little direction, but Kiota was confident in Ralon's sense of direction. In due time they arrived at his pride's main area, quickly drawing the attention of the nearby lionesses. Though they did acknowledge his presence, Kiota was surprised by the lack of enthusiasm. Some even looked at him with disgust.

"He's over there." Ralon said with unexpected bitterness.

The rogue frowned in confusion and looked to where he had gestured. Under a nearby tree was a pale-white lion, his fur significantly out of place among the pride of red-stained fur. For whatever reason, he lacked the distinct coloring of the land.

"You never told me your name." Ralon said suddenly.

He might as well tell him, he was already here. "Kiota."

Ralon's head snapped to the rogue and his eyes shown with unprecedented intensity. "Kiota?" he growled lowly.

Kiota nodded neutrally.

"You're the one who killed my father!"

"I did."

Ralon pivoted away and clawed the reddish ground angrily. "WHY ARE YOU HERE?"

The outburst was catching the attention of the nearby pride members and a small circle began to surround them.

"I need to see the king."

"WELL THEN MAYBE YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE KILLED HIM!"

Ralon tensed his back and legs, clearly anticipating a fight, but just before he could lunge out at the rogue, an older lioness cut him off.

"NO, Ralon!" she said strongly as she stood in between him and Kiota.

"Mom, it's him! He killed Dad!"

She nodded slowly. "I know son… but you can't fight him. He'll kill you too. There are too many in this family that need you right now; I won't let you throw away your life for a shot at revenge."

Ralon growled angrily, but didn't argue with her. He knew she was right.

"What's going on over here?" a new voice emerged from the angry crowd. Kiota watched as the pale and un-reddened lion made his way to the center of the would-be arena. "Who are you?" he asked the rogue with significant distaste.

"Kiota." He replied neutrally. "I need to see the king."

He blinked in surprise. "Kiota? The Kiota?"

He nodded.

"Well… I'm the king, king Lero. What do you want?"

"Why isn't Ralon king? He was the prince when I was last here."

Lero smiled slightly. "Things have changed slightly since you were last here."

"Clearly."

"Why don't you come with me, I'll explain."

Kiota nodded apprehensively and followed Lero out of the swarm of angry lionesses and their relentless glares. Once they had separated themselves from the crowd, Lero glanced at Kiota with amusement.

"Most would think twice before returning to the place where they are universally hated, but you… you don't have much to worry about I guess."

"I have something that I need to do."

"And I'm sure that it helps to be the single greatest fighter in the Toyo's kingdoms."

"It has its advantages. Are you going to explain now?"

Lero nodded. "A few months after Tijan died, Toyo came in and established his rule. These lions did what a lot of other prides have done, and surrendered to his demands rather than suffer the consequences."

"What consequences?"

Lero shrugged. "It's quite reasonable actually; in exchange for the protection and support offered by Toyo, the pride must supply the king with their fighters to help protect the kingdoms."

"Who is chosen to go?"

"Everyone of age."

"Which is what?"

"Everyone younger than a full adult."

"Of course…" He frowned, thinking back to the refugees. They had been fortunate enough (if you could call it that) to have had a strong defense against Toyo and manage to escape. This pride though… there was nothing they could do; they had too many younger members and not enough fighters. And it was the younger ones that Toyo wanted.

"I have to admit, Kiota," Lero said suddenly, alerting the rogue from his thoughts. "I was beginning to believe the stories."

"What stories?"

He shrugged. "No one has seen you in months… some were starting to say that you were dead."

"Dead?"

"Toyo didn't want to believe them; of course… he offered a huge reward to anyone who could find you."

Kiota almost smiled at the king's predictability; he had assumed that Toyo would search desperately for him. "Tell me more about this pride."

Lero shrugged. "What more do you want to know?"

"Why are they still here?"

"All the nearby camps are full right now, but there's one that will be graduating their fighters soon. When they leave in a few weeks, we'll send this new batch in to be trained. It's all standard procedure."

Kiota could have gagged at how nonchalantly Lero explained the horror that he was a part of, but he restrained himself. He just simply didn't care about the families and lives that he was destroying. It was all just part of the job for him, and the small smile on his face showed that he somehow enjoyed it.

The two lions walked for several moments more in awkward silence before Lero spoke again. "Why are you here exactly?"

"Uhhh…" he stammered unsurely. He hadn't anticipated having to deal with Toyo's puppet king; it kind of threw his plan into some rough waters. "I needed to speak with Ralon…"

Lero snorted. "Don't waste your time with that little brat… he's nothing but trouble."

"How so?"

"He's always doing more than he should… he is not the king, I am!"

"I still need to speak with him."

"Fine, but be quick… there's something that I need to speak with you about."

Kiota nodded, though he had no intention of continuing this conversation. He walked through the pride, scanning the faces as he searched for the would-be king. The angry and disgusted looks that he drew were to be expected, and he didn't blame the lions, but still… it bothered him. Each look was a reminder of what he had done to this pride. A younger lioness, maybe a little younger than he was bore into him furiously with her eyes as if she was trying to burn him away with her glare. Kiota found himself wondering about her; about her personality. Perhaps she was like Kya… or maybe like the refugees. How many other 'Kyas' were here, how many others would suffer and die because of his actions?

A sharp growl sounded from his side, making him turn.

"You don't belong here." Ralon hissed furiously.

"Come with me." Kiota said bluntly, walking past the lion.

Ralon blinked in surprise, but followed after him. "Why are you here? Haven't you done enough to us?"

Kiota stayed quiet until they were reasonably alone and out of earshot from the rest of the pride.

"ANSWER ME YO-"

"Shut up, Ralon." Kiota cut him off. "I'm here to make you an offer."

"Will it be as generous as King Toyo's?" he asked sarcastically.

When Kiota didn't answer immediately, Ralon growled irritably and rolled his eyes. "Listen. I don't want anything to do with you. If I had my way, you would die a painful death at our hands. If you have an offer for us, go see Lero, he's the king."

"Not the rightful one."

He snorted. "Please… as if tradition matters anymore."

"Why are you doing this?"

"What else is there to do?"

"You could resist."

"We could die." He countered. "What are you trying to get me to do, Kiota? Rebel? Fight back against the king that has conquered every kingdom in the land? Do you want to see us die?"

"No… I want to see you live. And this is not living."

Ralon blinked in surprise. "What are you saying?"

Kiota took a deep breath; this was it, the moment of truth. "I want to help you… I want to help you fight back."

The lion stared at him incredulously. "What?"

"I'm prepared to fight against Toyo… but I'm only one fighter. I need an army to oppose him."

He laughed, somehow amused at the scenario. "I get it… you want to get rid of Toyo so that you can be the supreme ruler!"

"No… I just want to make things right."

Ralon shook his head. "Even if I believed you, there's nothing that you can do to help us…"

"I can give you the push you need to get started."

"And then what? Go fight Toyo's army?"

"We'll work our way up to that."

"This is ridiculous…" he mumbled to himself. "I cannot risk my family's lives on your endeavor… it's too dangerous."

"Their lives are already at risk, Ralon. If they survive Toyo's training, they will be forced to fight on huge battlefields in faraway lands. They will never see their home or family again."

Ralon looked at the ground reluctantly.

"I met a pride not too long ago… they were running from Toyo's hunters to avoid being killed or sent to a training camp. Their king died to allow them time to escape; he seemed to think that their freedom was worth the risk."

"I… I can't." he said quietly.

Kiota nodded, seeing the fear in the young lion's voice. "It isn't about you, it's about them."

"What if I fail?"

Then they will be spared a fate worse than death."

"Why should I listen to you?" he exclaimed with sudden and unexpected anger. "You killed my father!"

Kiota sighed deeply and looked up at the sky. "That was a long time ago, Ralon… I wish I could take it back, but I can't. This is my way of making up for it."

"Why should I believe you?"

"Because I'm your only hope… I can help you throw out Lero."

He was quiet for a few moments as he contemplated the offer. Kiota could almost see the young lion debating with himself.

"Alright…" he said finally. "But this does not mean that I'm okay with you. You killed my father, and I will get justice!"

Kiota almost smiled. That sounded familiar. "You understand that this will be dangerous?"

"I understand that it's better than the alternative."

He nodded slowly. "Good…"

"But…"

"But what?"

"How are you going to do it? We can't just leave without a fight…"

"We need to proceed carefully…" he said slowly, not wanting to get the younger lion overly excited and do something rash.

Ralon just nodded, but his eyes were not on Kiota. Instead he just stared past him with vague concern.

"What?" Kiot asked curiously.

He gestured to a spectacle developing not too far away. Kiota looked over to see Lero standing over a young lioness. He wasn't sure, but she looked like the same one that had been glaring at him earlier.

"YOU THOUGHT WHAT?" the false king screamed at her as she cowered before him, broken by his anger.

"He does this often…" Ralon said darkly.

"What did she do?" Kiota asked.

"Probably nothing. He has these fits of rage… it doesn't take much to set him off."

Kiota frowned and started towards them.

"Where are you going?"

Kiota shrugged. "Sometimes you cannot proceed carefully. Sometimes you have to just do it."

"I'm sorry!" she cried, holding her head where Lero had struck her.

"YOU WILL ADRESS ME AS KING!" he screamed as he pinned her shoulders to the ground.

"P-please…" she forced out difficultly as he pressed down on her throat. The crowd that had gathered around her stared with sadness. They knew that there was nothing they could do; to fight would mean incurring the king's wrath, and effectively Toyo's. There was nothing they could do except pray that she would be alright.

"You've had this coming for a long time!" he hissed. "Don't pretend like you don't deserve it!"

He pressed down harder on her throat, effectively closing the airway. She tried to gasp for air, but none could get through. Suddenly the weight was gone. She coughed and rolled into a small ball in an attempt to recover before the king returned with another attack. She blinked in surprise as the attack never came. She looked up to see her surrounding pride members staring with shocked eyes. She followed their line of sight to see their cruel king on the ground a short distance away. Over him stood a lion; the same lion that she had seen murder their beloved king.

"What are you doing Kiota?" Lero asked with a mix of confusion and anger as he rose to his feet.

"I'm doing what I always do… challenging the king."

"What? Why? You're already the best; what does it prove to fight me?"

Kiota allowed a small smile to cross his face. "For once, this isn't about me at all." He glanced to his side and made eye contact with the battered lioness as a few others helped her away. She stared at him confusion, but he could pick out a small glimmer of hope in her dark pupils.

"Them?" Lero asked with surprise before chuckling slightly. "I never thought that I would see the day when the mighty Kiota would get a soft spot for the pathetic fodder of Toyo's armies."

Kiota just shrugged. He didn't care what Lero thought.

"It's pathetic!" he spat.

Ralon took a step forward. "Enough, Lero. You're done here."

The pale lion blinked. "Are you going back on our deal, Ralon?" he said dangerously in a near whisper.

"Yes, I am. I won't allow you to rip our family apart."

Lero frowned darkly. "You're making a big mistake. You will all die for this." He turned to Kiota. "Starting with you… I'm beginning to wonder if you can still even fight after becoming so pitiful."

"I'd love for you to find out for yourself." The rogue said casually.

"With pleasure!" he growled angrily before lunging out at him with his claws outstretched.

Kiota ducked under the flying lion and lifted himself up sharply, striking him in the underbelly and knocking the wind out of him. Lero fell away but rose quickly despite the blow, his anger giving him strength. He roared loudly and swung at Kiota's face, but the strike was easily blocked and Kiota's other arm made swift contact with the pale lion's neck. He gasped in shock as he felt hot liquid pour down his shoulder and arm. He staggered back, his eyes never leaving Kiota's. His anger had only helped him so much, and in the end he had fallen short.

"Still think that I'm weak, Lero?" Kiota whispered softly to the dying lion as he struggled to keep his balance.

He tried to respond, but only a soft gurgle came from his throat before his eyes rolled back into his head and he fell onto the reddish dirt below him. The dull thud of the body hitting the ground made all the observers wince. Then they all just stared at the body. He was dead.

Ralon looked to Kiota. "Well… There's no turning back now…"

"No… there isn't."

"Ralon…" an older lioness said worriedly as she approached him. "What are you doing? Don't you know what this means?"

He nodded. "It means that we're free again. That we're in control of our own destinies… just like we should be."

"We'll have to go into hiding… We might be found…"

"I know… but we have him." He said, gesturing to Kiota.

"Him?" she gasped. The others mirrored her reaction. "He's the one that killed your father! Our king!"

"I know. And he will pay. Right now though, we need his help, and he's willing to give it."

"How can he help us?"

"He knows the lands outside of ours… he can teach us how to be better fighters… but most importantly, he can keep us safe."

She shook her head with concern. "I hope that you're right, Ralon… like you said, there's no turning back now."

Ralon frowned as he stared at the body in a daze. "What do we do now?" he asked quietly, seemingly a bit overwhelmed by the event.

Kiota took stepped in between him and the corpse in an effort to snap him back into reality. "What we need to do now, is to get out of here. I doubt that anyone will come looking for Lero anytime soon, and it will be even longer before they send out hunters after you, but the sooner we leave the better."

"Which way?" a lioness asked with concern. "Where will we go?"

"Every way."

Ralon blinked. "What?"

"Divide up into small groups and head in all directions. That way, there won't be one big trail for them to follow. It will be harder and more confusing for them to find and follow the smaller trail. Is there a nearby landmark or something that everyone will be able to meet up at?"

Ralon nodded slowly as he caught onto the idea. "Uhhh… Yea… There's a small watering hole a ways away that's really off the beaten trail."

"Good. Let's get moving." With that, the rogue turned away and left Ralon to deal with the organization of the pride.

The reinstated king was motionless for a moment as the significance of the situation hit him. They were free! He had his throne back, and his pride's fate in his hands. He looked up at his surrounding pride members and was surprised at their expressions. He had expected to see nervous and worried faces, but instead he was lifted by the sheer determination in their eyes. Theirs was a strong and spiritually strong pride, but for too long they had been repressed. For the first time in a long time, Ralon saw not only hope, but a fire in the eyes of his family. Things were going to be different now.

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((0))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

The moonlight reflected over the mirror-like surface of the water hole with serene quality. Kiota just stared up at the infinite number of stars that dotted the blackness above; he was finally alone now that Ralon and the rest of the pride had gone to sleep. It had been a difficult few days to get there, but they had finally made it. They had successfully relocated to a safer and more secluded place and left minimal trace of their travel.

"Hey…" he said softly to the blackness that surrounded him. "I've been thinking about you… a lot. I miss you…"

He took a deep breath and lowered his gaze to the water. His reflection stared back at him, and for the first time in a long while he was content with what he saw. Though he wished that ripples would form and he would see the familiar face of his lost friend, he knew that it wouldn't. It was just him now… he was alone.

No, he thought suddenly. He wasn't alone. "I wish you would let me know that you are there, Kya…"

The breeze rustled his fur and he sighed deeply. "I need your help now… they need your help. I-"

"Kiota?" a voice called nervously as a reddish-furred lion approached him slowly.

"Ralon…" Kiota replied surprisedly. I- I didn't see you there."

"Were you talking to someone?"

"Just to myself…"

The younger lion nodded slowly. "I, uh… I wanted to thank you…"

Kiota blinked in surprise.

"Thanks… for helping me and my family."

"Does this mean that I've made up for your father?"

Ralon's expression suddenly turned dark. "No."

"Right… stupid question."

"Yea… and I stand by what I said before; you will face justice for what you did to my father and our family. Just because you're helping us now doesn't mean that what you did can ever be forgiven."

"Agreed."

The two were silent for a moment.

"We can't stay here." Ralon observed slowly.

"I know."

"Where do we go then?"

A small smile crossed Kiota's face. "A valley a few days away from here."

"What? Why?"

"There's a training camp in the valley…"

Ralon's eyes lit up. "We can free the recruits!"

Kiota nodded. "Toyo had made plenty of enemies… we just need to rally them together."

***Author's Note***

Wow, it's weird to think that it has been almost a month since I last updated, sorry for the long wait. I hope that the length of the chapter makes up for it. Please comment, I'd love to hear what you think!

-Ben