Chapter 5: Royalty Rumble.
Back at Disney Castle, Hercules walked up to a console where Mr. Incredible and GoGo were trying to determine the cause of the heroes' disappearance.
"Nothing yet?" Hercules asked.
"The energy signatures from Thebes don't match anything recorded." Mr. Incredible said.
"Why don't I just see if I can modify my suit to vibrate at the same frequency and follow the others?" GoGo asked.
"Because we don't if it's dangerous where they went." Hercules said.
"Or if they wound up anywhere at all. Hercules is right, It's too risky." Mr. Incredible said.
"Too bad I wasn't fast enough to catch them in the first place." GoGo said.
"We'll find them. We have to." Hercules said, patting GoGo's shoulder.
Meanwhile, in the Pride Lands, Simba and his family walked up to Rafiki.
"Good to see you, Your Majesties." Rafiki said.
"We need information on world governance. History and current structure." Simba said.
"Ah, for the treaty negotiations with the High Councilor?" Rafiki asked.
Despite minor confusion, Nala said, "Yes, the treaty discussions."
"I'm afraid our resources are limited. Hercules has been less than willing to reveal his regime's inner workings." Rafiki said as they walked along.
"Tell us what you know. Recount the events of his ascension." Simba said.
"A thorough review might illuminate new strategies for negotiation." Kiara said.
"I am humbled, Majesties." Rafiki said.
"Five years ago, the sorcerer known as Jafar deceived Hercules into killing his wife and unborn son, as well as destroying Thebes. Consumed by grief, Hercules killed Jafar." Rafiki said.
"Yes…we all remember where we were that day…" Kion said.
"Afterward he showed no restraint. Judge, jury, and executioner, he and other like-minded heroes quickly reined in the criminal element." Rafiki said.
"Which made him quite popular." Nala said.
"The rest of the world was desperate for strong leadership. Hercules consolidated his power. He created the One Earth government. Democratic institutions were swept away." Rafiki said as a guard walked up to them.
"Your Majesties, the High Councilor's envoys await you at Pride Rock." the guard said.
Once at Pride Rock, the lions were surprised to see Big Hero 6 there, but like with Mr. Incredible and Violet, something was different about them. Their suits were all darker in color and each marked with the strange symbol. They saw them and walked over.
"Big Hero 6…welcome." Nala said.
The six heroes bowed, "Your Highnesses, it is an honor to meet you." Fred said.
"And to be the first humans to visit the Pride Lands." Honey Lemon said.
"Yes. We have important matters to discuss. The treaty?" Simba asked.
"The final draft. Hercules is glad you agreed to his terms." GoGo said as she handed them a tablet. They looked at it before they noticed something that earned their ire.
"Is something wrong?" Wasabi asked.
"This is complete subjugation! Hercules will rule the Pride Lands!" Nala said.
"It's what you agreed to. It's what we expect." Hiro said.
"You threaten us? Be careful." Kion said.
"We have our orders." Baymax said before they launched attacks, forcing the lions to dodge.
Kion then approached Hiro, "You can tell Hercules he will not have the Pride Lands!" he said before he rushed at Hiro and scratched him, forcing him back before Hiro sent a swarm of Microbots that knocked Kion back. He then fired a small Microbot fist rocket that sent Kion into a rock, which he quickly bounced back from and rushed before he did a combo scratch on Hiro before biting him in the arm. Hiro shook him off before he sent a swarm of Microbots to bind Kion to the ground before having another one attack him in a wave, sending him falling back. Hiro and Kion got into a scuffle of Microbots, claws, and fangs, which Kion came out of worn out, but okay, while Hiro was pretty badly injured. Kion then roared which caused Hiro to step back and cover his ears before he leapt and scratched Hiro in the face, which Hiro responded to by yelling before he sent a huge swarm of Microbots to trap Kion in before they formed a whirlpool that sent him around and around while sending Microbot waves and fists before they gathered and slammed down onto the ground, which sent him slamming down as well. But, despite this, Kion bounced back and tackled Hiro before giving him a powerful scratch to the face with both claws, which sent him down and unconscious.
Kion laughed triumphantly before he said, "Your orders are nothing to us royals."
He then looked around at the other members, "Let's not take this any further. I want to talk to Hercules." he said.
"You don't talk to Hercules. You do what he wants, and you're gonna do what you promised." Wasabi said, which drew Kion's attention before he saw him standing over a weakened Kiara, ready to finish the fight. Kion gasped at seeing Kiara hurt and became angry.
"NO ONE HURTS MY SISTER AND GETS AWAY WITH IT!" he yelled before he rushed and scratched Wasabi in the face, making him back off before they started to fight. Kion used the same strategy as he did with Hiro, attack and fall back, while Wasabi made use of his surroundings. He chopped down a nearby tree and kicked it to fall on Kion, which he managed to avoid, but not without getting a scrape. He rushed at Wasabi and tackled him to the ground before clawing him across the face multiple times. Wasabi managed to knock him off before he grabbed a rock, threw it above Kion, and leapt before slashing it to pieces. Kion dodged the rocks, getting hit by some, but avoiding the majority of them. Kion then leapt onto Wasabi's wrist and bit him in it, shorting out one of his laser hands. Wasabi shook him off before he sliced up a bunch of trees and tried knocking them onto Kion, which hit him with a branch, but left him still in the fight. This started a scuffle that resulted in Kion getting minor injuries and Wasabi coming out with scratches and bites. Kion then decided to end the fight before it got worse. He roared, which forced Wasabi to cover his ears and back up before he rushed and scratched him in both his ankles before biting them, which caused Wasabi to collapse before he rushed and scratched up his arm before leaping up and came down in a spin, using all four of his claws to scratch Wasabi's face, knocking him out.
Kion roared triumphantly as he stood in front of his fallen foe. Kiara smiled, touched by how much he cared about her. She walked over to him.
"Thanks a lot, little brother." Kiara said before she nuzzled him. Kion smiled.
"Hey, no problem, sis. I'll always protect you, as you always have me." Kion said as he reciprocated.
"They make sorry diplomats." Nala said as she and Simba walked over to their children. Suddenly, they heard guards running in. They then saw them leading battle-damaged versions of themselves.
"There they are, Your Majesties!" said a guard.
"Well, then, parallel dimension it is." said Simba.
"Who do you work for, usurpers?! Reirei?! The Hyenas?!" Kiara 2 asked.
"We're the rulers of the Pride Lands! We answer to no one, unlike you!" Kiara said.
"Mind your tongue." Simba 2 said.
"You would give away your kingdom like a pair of worn boots?! To an outsider?!" Kion asked.
"The treaty requires Hercules to maintain Earth's natural lands and recognize our autonomy." Nala 2 said.
"You put your army at his beck and call!" Kion said.
"A necessary compromise." Kion 2 said.
"More like appeasement!" Kiara said.
"We grow tired of your drivel! Take them!" Simba 2 said as guards rushed at the lions, only to be taken down easily. Then, the alternates rushed them.
"We planned to offer you our help, but I think we've changed our minds." Kion said as he and his alternate self rushed at each other. They scratched each other's faces before Kion 2 launched into the air and came down onto Kion with a bite before knocking him back with his paw. Kion then ran and slid, scratching up his duplicate's legs before biting his leg and swinging him around and throwing him into a nearby rock, which caused him injuries. He ran back and grabbed a branch with his mouth before smacking Kion into a waterfall, which sent him back down onto a rock. He jumped out and the two of them exchanged scratches, bites, throws, and other attacks. Eventually, Kion scratched Kion 2 across the eyes, temporarily blinding him before he bit him in one of his legs, causing him intense pain. Kion then leapt and scratched him on the back, which brought him down. Kion 2 then retaliated with his own bites to Kion's legs before scratching him across the eyes twice. This started a serious scuffle that ended with both of them suffering bloody injuries before Kion decided that enough was enough and used the same finishing move he did on Wasabi, weakening him enough that a final scratch to the face finally caused him to faint.
"Now let's discuss a revised outsider policy." Kion said as he and his family approached their counterparts, only for more guards to rush in.
"Kill them!" shouted the alternate Kion. The guards rushed at them, only for a blue glow to suddenly freeze them. The lions were surprised before Kiara walked over to one and knocked him over like he was a cardboard prop. They saw that the others didn't react despite this.
"Now what?" Kion asked before they heard a voice.
"They do tend to fight first, don't they?" asked a voice as a green cloud of magic appeared. Out of it appeared Loki, but he appeared different. His outfit looked more like green armor and he had what looked to be a bundle of cloth on his shoulders.
"Though I may have stoked the fires a bit." Loki said.
"Loki. Why are you here?" Nala asked.
"I thrive on conflict. Until today, I'd been starving. I sensed the return of aggression and sought its cause." Loki said.
"You did more than that. You brought us here." Kiara said as Loki approached.
"No, but I can guess who did." Loki said.
"Our fire doesn't need stoking, Loki. Tell us who!" Simba said.
"You presume to command Loki?" Loki asked.
"He does, and you will obey!" Kion said before he leapt and bit at Loki, only for Loki to dodge and send a bolt of magic at him, knocking him back. Kion quickly regained his footing and rushed at Loki before tackling him in the stomach. Loki stumbled back before he swung at Kion with his staff. Kion dodged and bit Loki in the arm, causing him to drop the staff before he scratched him across the face. He then hit Loki in the knee by throwing his staff and stabbing him. Loki bucked before he yelled and unleashed a blast of energy, which sent Kion flying into a rock. He struggled before he managed to break into a run and scratched Loki in the face. He then took the staff and whacked Loki across the face, knocking him down. They fought to gain the advantage as they traded scratches, bites, and energy blasts. Eventually, once they had fought to a standstill, Loki decided that it was time to finish the fight as he shot Kion with a blinding blast of energy. When Kion was able to open his eyes again, he was knocked back by a blinding beam of energy, right into another one, and another one, which went on like a casino machine, until Kion noticed several energy circles around him with a giant one right underneath him before he was enveloped in a massive pillar of energy, which hurt him pretty bad. But, he was still willing to fight. He roared loud enough to throw Loki off-guard before he roared to call the rest of his family. They teamed up and rushed toward Loki. Kiara rushed and scratched Loki's legs, Nala rushed and scratched his torso, Simba rushed and scratched up his arms, and finally, Kion rushed, leapt into the air, and all four scratched up Loki's face, causing him to fall over.
"You're weak, Loki." Kion said as they walked over.
"Hercules' reign has nearly eliminated conflict. Left me virtually bored and powerless." Loki said.
"So if you didn't bring us here, who did?" Nala asked.
"Those who would end Hercules' rule. The Insurgents." Loki said.
"Heroes?" Kiara asked.
"Only one. All other heroes who challenged Hercules have been eliminated." Loki said.
"He killed them…" Simba said, lowering his head.
"And the only ones left are those who joined him?" Kion asked.
"Along with a small cadre of former villains, most of which had their loyalty bought-coerced." Loki said.
"We need to join our friends." Kiara said.
"They're with the Insurgents as we speak." Loki said.
"Send us to them." Simba said.
Meanwhile, Tarzan was looking at a potion along with Mulan and Peter Pan before the lions suddenly appeared.
"How'd you get here?" Peter Pan asked.
"Loki." Kion said. Everyone looked tense.
"Not our Loki." Simba said.
"We know. Meet Not-Our-Aladdin-and-Jasmine." Luke said.
Aladdin and Jasmine walked in.
"We were wondering how to retrieve you from the Pride Lands." Aladdin said.
"Headache?" Kion asked, acknowledging the potion Tarzan took.
"Trying to prevent one." Tarzan said.
"It's a durability enhancer. 6-H-97-C." Aladdin said.
"How can a potion…" Kiara asked.
"Olympian recipes. It increases the tensile strength of bone and tissue by several thousand percent." Jasmine said.
"Aladdin can tell you the rest later, if you're having trouble sleeping. He borrowed the recipe from Hercules. Hercules gives it to his flunkies." Violet said.
"Right, we met a couple of our evil twins." Kion said.
"They're not evil. Most obey Hercules out of fear, others think that he's right and have lost perspective." Aladdin said.
"So you're the only one left." Nala said.
"Not the only one." said a voice. Everyone looked at the door and saw…
"Hades?!" everyone asked.
"What is this?!" Kion asked.
"How are you still alive?!" Tarzan asked.
"He's with us." Aladdin said.
"Unlike your Hades, I've never indulged in evil schemes. The kid doesn't suspect that his uncle is funding the Insurgency." Hades said as he sat.
"Hades' involvement is a secret. People critical of Hercules disappear. Officials, activists, reporters…" Jasmine said as they sat.
"Well, now that we're here, explain why you chose us." Mulan said.
"And why you didn't ask before pulling us over. We were kinda busy." Mowgli said.
"The destruction spell? It didn't go off. Your transfer somehow prevented it." Hades said.
"How did you know about that?" Mowgli asked.
"We've been monitoring your world for some time. You all specifically." Hades said.
"I have a weapon to take down Hercules. A centaur blood-based laser that-" Aladdin was cut off by Peter Pan.
"Wait, a centaur blood weapon? You kill him, you're no better than he is." Peter Pan said.
"I didn't say 'kill'. It'll incapacitate him, nothing more." Aladdin said.
"The weapon's in the Palace of Agrabah. We need your help to unlock it." Jasmine said.
Elsewhere, Hercules sat in a chair monitoring computers as he observed Cerberus being restrained by a magic collar. Mulan walked up behind him wearing a beautiful blue Chinese dress.
"The collar's working. Good, re-education wouldn't work for him." Mulan said.
Hercules nodded, not turning away from his observation.
"You sure you don't want me to stay?" Mulan asked.
Hercules didn't respond.
"Hercules, I know you aren't hard of hearing." Mulan said.
"Are you okay with this? With us?" Mulan asked as Hercules looked at her.
"Of course." he said.
"I'm not trying to replace her. I just thought we-" Mulan started.
"I know." Hercules said as he placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Go on. I'm fine." Hercules said.
"I'm going. I just came in to tell you Pan's-" Mulan started.
"On his way in. Guess my hearing isn't hard after all." Hercules said as he held a remote.
Mulan and Pirate Pan stepped past each other as Pan made his way to the table.
"High Councilor. Love Mulan's new look." Pirate Pan said.
Hercules remained silent as he messed with the remote.
"We have a problem. I ran into Mulan's twin, and someone who looked a lot like Mowgli and Tarzan, and Peter Pan." Pirate Pan said.
This sparked Hercules' interest, "Find them, and any others that might be out there. I want to know everything." he said.