Chapter 4

I do not own Lion King or any of its characters.

The only characters I do own are as follows:

Kali : Fierce

Usafi: Purity

Maji: Water

Nurisha: Shine Light Upon

Hafsa: Sound Judgment

Ufisa: Mischief

The following characters belong to my friend Nala-Nay who gave me permission to use him:

Hiassen

Cire

That small Voice

Across the plains far from the Outlands, we come to the lazily walking form of King Kali as he performed his 'plain patrol' as Simba called it. "More like cubby practice." Kali mumbled to himself. It was true that every once in a while there was some trouble along the plains. Maybe the herds got into a scuffle or the monkeys were playing pranks with the giraffes as they tried to get their food. But other than that kind of thing all Kali normally did was just walk through the plains doing nothing since more often than not, the conflicts usually happened along the borders where his brother or friends usually were.

"It must be fun." He thought sadly walking by one of the waterholes and bent down to get a drink. As the cool liquid filled his dry throat he pondered his role in the kingdom. Sure he did this everyday, but today was different thanks to how he reacted towards his brothers temper toward Maji earlier.

"Who am I really to this pride?" Kali asked as he moved from leaning to seated on his haunches looking up at the flowing clouds.

He pondered the few months he and Simba had shared the throne since usurping Scar. He thought back to how he had tried to convince the other lionesses of the pride that proper rationing and scheduled water usage was necessary to get the Pride Lands back to a healthy state. Kali shook his head with a slight smile. "Malka was right. Now that I think about, that was the first time all the females wanted me more than Tojo just not for the same reasons." He chuckled and clutched his throat. "So many of those females wanted me dead that day."

It was only because Simba had managed to back him up that the lionesses had decided to at least try and work with the new rationing rules.

While he pondered his numerous yet timeless memories, a couple lionesses approached and got a drink across from him. Kali, who decided to maintain his appearance of Kingly attention broke himself from his thoughts and bowed to his subjects. "Good morning ladies."

The lionesses, tan in color but with fiery red eyes looked at Kali confused with a raised eyebrow as he bowed to them. "Good morning Kali." The younger of the two said with a smile. Feeling a little put down since the title King was not used, Kali wanted to remind them of his position but fearing he might lose his temper he let it slide.

"The lands do look marvelous today don't they?" Kali said before he turned his head to look amongst the vast plains that though were bordered seemed more endless now that they were green and not grey like the Outlands.

"I guess that's true. I don't know how you two manage to cover so much ground in a day." She said before going back for another lap of water.

"Well it wasn't easy at first." Kali said with a tired sigh remembering the first month or so of patrolling. "Since it was just me and Sim, at times we returned with very sore paws and muscles because we first tried one patrolled the border while the other stays to protect the pride."

"It must have been nice to have days off so often. Do you have any idea what it takes to feed an entire clan of those mutts?" The older of the two said to while eyeing what appeared to be her younger sister whom was just reaching the age of participating in the hunts.

"I can't truly imagine what it was like in detail but I have some idea when the herds from these lands told Ni and me when they fled to where I grew up. The horrors they described made me have trouble sleeping for a few nights." Kali said closing his eyes and shuddered in fear of those recurring nightmares returning once more.

"That explains why they take a favoring to you. Well that is what I have heard from Zazu. It is hard to get a first hand conversation with them ourselves for obvious reasons but they do have a spring in their step whenever you walk by." Said the younger sister

Kali's thoughts went from the tales of slaughtering the herds to his days happily living as a rogue with the surviving creatures. "Well my time among them with Ni surely helped a bit."

He paused for a moment in happy remembrance of his adopted brother before giving the females his attention.

"Besides between me and Simba, somebody has to have their trust and faith. Simba tried a few times to settle some problems amongst them but often lost his temper. It nearly sent one herd leaving." Kali shook his head and chuckled under his breath at the one time Simba ran screaming when he accidentally yelled at Nala during her pregnancy when she had asked to help settle a dispute.

"Speaking of Simba, we better go find him to arrange your first solo hunt ceremony." She said with a smirk at her sister. " Man I feel old. Bye Kali." With that the two disappear into the tangled bush.

Kali sighed as they walked away. "They could've asked me." Kali grumbled smacking at the water. As the water rippled, he remembered how back when he decided to find Simba, his reflection showed only half of him. When he found Simba it showed that the two of them as a whole but he still felt like half a lion in this moment.

The wind began to blow against his back so hard that his mane began to blind him. As he tried to turn directions, sand pelted his hurt expression. As soon as it died down he discovered he was no longer alone.

"Hi Kali," said a welcomed voice.

"Hello? Who's there?" Kali asked as he tried his best to rub the sand out of his eyes. He also felt a crusty feeling between his teeth and groaned before spitting some of the sand out. Today was not going well. At least the cubs are enjoying themselves he thought.

"Ouch bud. I know we went years without seeing each other but would have hoped my awesomeness still shines through."

"Oh Malka it's you. I thought Tojo was talking while gazing at his reflection again." Kali said with a noticeable laugh.

"Can't blame you there, but only I can pull off this jet black mane. He will always look cubish with that two tone blondish brown mane. So why are you spitting? Try one of Simba's bugs did we?"

"Shut up Malka. I got some sand in my mouth when the wind picked up. Why are you out here anyway? Running from Tama are we?" Kali smirked once he was able to see.

"The same could be said from you. Too scared for border patrol?" He said with a antagonizing tone but let's up when he sees Kali snarl. "Dude it was just a joke. Lighten up. After all the trouble Simba got us into as cubs it's his turn to get us out."

"You said it Malka. Plus now we have a weapon against him. Nala." Kali grinned deviously.

"We always had that against him. Why do you think he tried to ditch me when we first met?"

"I have a feeling like you are going to tell me. What else did I miss?"

"I may have hit on her when I stayed the night after getting separated from my Mom."

"What?! You and Nala? No way you and her were a couple. Kula is I could imagine cause she loved your jokes but not Nala." Kali said not believing the foolish black maned lion. "What next? You're gonna say you were hitting on my mom?" Kali said sarcastically.

"I never said I was successful. Beside you know I have a soft spot for cream colored lionesses with a nice tail and a feisty personality to match." He said proudly as Kali rolled his eyes never understanding how the others claimed to have "types" since he new his sole mate from the time their eyes met.

"Yet you fell for Tama after how many smacks to the head by the others? Twenty? Fifty?" Kali laughed imagining. "Your mane probably would be missing a few spots if you tried going for Zira."

"What's up with you today?" He snickered back at Kali defensively feeling like this was turning into more than just a friendly joke off. Sure he liked it when it was reciprocated but did not need so many hits below the mane.

Kali sighed. "I just feel a little bored for once. Nothing much goes on out here in the plains. Any activity on the borders?"

"Don't know, I don't cover it often but who would take a kingdom with five males anyway? At least the prey can entertain you. Well that and your cubs. I am so glad mine have passed that stage."

"Having cubs makes life seem more exciting. Wouldn't you agree?" Kali sighed and just sat enjoying the breeze.

"It evened out for myself but I am with Tama after all." He said smoothly through a yawn..

"Malka can I ask you something?" Kali asked after a few moments of uncomfortable silence. "Do you think I have a place in our pride?"

"I don't like where this is heading. I know you were used to the freedom of being a rogue but if you leave Usafi with three young cubs I will personally block your escape route." He then begins to pace back and forth.

No I'm not going to leave you dumbas." Kali snapped smacking his face with his paw. "Now I understand my Uncle. I am surrounded by idiots. Malka, I meant I feel like no one treats me as I am. The King."

"We treat you and Simba the same. You share the lack of respect equally as all good cubhood friends do. Well I am slightly more impressed Simba has not rubbed his antics onto kopa yet but only time will tell." He then sees a hot white fire in the silver lion's eyes and begins to back up a few strides. "Since this is not helping I am going to grab Usafi. Just stay calm."

"Leave my mate out of this you clown, and stay put! My reason is because I feel like I am doing nothing to show I am King. I patrol the plains for Kings sake." But his words go unanswered as the midnight mane lion heads towards Pride Rock.

As he watched Malka run off like the little wimp he was, he compared himself to him. Malka was in charge of watching the cubs at times since he didn't take the patrols seriously enough. But at times he did a decent job patrolling the areas during the hunts. Heck once he even saved Kula from a hippos that went nuts when Timon startled it. He also had older cubs which required far less supervision though he had to admit they were surprisingly easy going to be his offspring.

Then he thought of himself, and how he only patrolled the borders back when there were very few herds. The hunting party was never in any real danger so he and Simba never had much but they still patrolled them together. But now, he was told often that it was important to patrol the plains.

Just as he felt safe in his thoughts a scarlet figure was spotted in the distance. I am going to kill him he mumbled to himself as he forced himself to his feet with the best smile he could muster as he locked with his mates eyes.

"Kali we need to talk." Usafi says sympathetically but keeps her eyes firm.

"Hey Usafi. We do need to talk about our day. How's your day going?" Kali grinned trying to change the subject.

She shakes her head wondering how she would get anywhere with him. "Kali I know you feel hurt but you had no right to snap at Malka like that. Please tell me I have not lost that ever optimistic silver prince I once knew?"

"Usafi, I..." But before he could explain, he heard a rude 'ahem' come from below and when he looked down he saw a small creature with an annoyed look on it's scrunched up face. "Yes little cub. Can I help you?" He asked as he bent down only to be smacked by said 'cub'

"Let me apologize for my mate, he is a little bitter today." Says Usafi apologetically. For the first time in his life, Kali wants to snap at his mate but the words that come out of the cub like creature's mouth stops him in his tracks.

"What did you say?" Kali asked like he wasn't sure he heard right.

"It's your son, and your daughters, have been spotted in the outlands with a rogue." Says the mini cheetah like creature.

Kali's eyes widened" Lead the way!" His time to prove himself as a protector of the Pride had come but was he ready?

Time for another outtake brought to you by Tron incorporated!:

Nala looks around the meadow of flowers and then back towards the dead Pride Lands: Flowers grow on this shining side. Not a pawprint to be seen.

A kingdom of isolation and it looks like I'm the Queen. The wind is howling like my heart deep inside. Couldn't keep me in, heaven knows they tried.

Stay in the den, where you should be. Be the good cub you always have to be. Feel, don't conceal, should've let him know*thinks of Simba with tears* But he'll never know.

Points her paw and ice flies free: So let it go, let it go. Why hold it back anymore?

*Makes a snow cub on the ground* Let it go let it go. I'm free so I can roar.

I don't care what they're going to say. Let the storm rage on. The cold never bothered me anyway.

To be Continued.

Will show part 2 after I hear commentary on this crossover music number