Chapter CXXXI: Divided, The Conflict Upon The Pridelands Part VII

"Simba!"

Hurry! He must hurry!

"Simba!"

Running as fast as his paws could carry him Simba finally arrived at the cliff's edge and as he looked over it, there he saw him, his father. There he was clinging against the rocky surface desperately as he tried to support his weight by digging his strong claws in, but he was struggling badly as he called out once more, "help me!"

Seeing him this way Simba called out to him, "father!"

For the thing that the lion king saw what was to fear beneath his father, for there were the countless Wildebeests stampeding onwards in huge numbers, their eyes glowed with a haunting yellow making them almost demon like! He had to do something and fast! So he reached his paw down desperate to pull him out of peril.

But as he did a huge menacing shout of laughter filled the air and as Simba turned to see who it was, he saw him! Cloaked in shadows his menacing and evil red eyes glowing in the darkness as he gazed upon him and his helpless father.

He couldn't falter though even as he saw him coming towards him down the rocks he spoke, "no!" Then concentrating hard he looked to his father as he reached his paw down and called to him once again, "dad! Just a little further!" He was almost touching his father's paw now as he too was desperately reaching out to him! He could do it! He knew he could save him! If he could just-

"Gotcha!" That haunting voice called out as Simba felt horrible claws piercing into his other paw which was holding on tightly to the cliff itself, as he looked to his attacker he heard him say with sinister humour in his voice, "trust me!"

His eyes widening at these two words he looked down again and saw to his absolute horror his father was losing his grip more and more calling out his name distressingly in terror. Then the most awful, "NNNOOOOO!" His father let go of the edge as he fell to his doom... the demon eyed wildebeests taking their helpless prey!

Turning his eyes back to the one who prevented him from saving his father from his terrible fate he breathed angrily, "Scar!"

But then as he looked on suddenly as the horrible lion laughed on it morphed and changed revealing him to be not Scar! But-

"Kovu?!" Simba breathed for there the dark maned lion he'd accepted had an evil smile decorating his features as a scar was now over his left eye just like his evil uncle had had! His eyes glowed with horrible intent as they seemed to flash with just as evil laughter.

Then suddenly before the king of lion's could fully absorb what was happening, Kovu threw his paws away mercilessly as he was sent off, falling from the cliff's edge just like his father before and as the horror struck him as he quickly approached the horrible Wildebeests below Simba shouted out loudly, "NNNNOOOOOO!"

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Suddenly the lion king woke up startled as he looked around himself, the anxiety of the nightmare plaguing him horribly as he breathed in and out heavily from the absolute terror he'd been exposed to.

Looking ahead he saw that the sun now was just beginning to peak, though there were some stars that continued to shine away over the horizon, none of the members of his court yet had stirred and next to him sleeping away peacefully was his beloved wife and queen Nala.

Relaxing a little bit now from the rush of fright Simba let out a sigh of relief as he spoke out, "oh... a nightmare... it was just... oh?" For it was so vivid and horrible and the memory of his father's last moments on earth still plagued him greatly, but just seeing Nala and his familiar surroundings eased a part of his plagued heart.

As he looked to the cave's entrance he then looked to his fellow lions and Nala once more, he didn't want to trouble anyone about his dream nor wake them. For he didn't want anyone to believe he was on the verge of paranoia, so getting up he then quietly and slowly went over to the cave's entrance.

Exiting it he looked over and saw the great expanses of his flourishing rich vibrant land that glowed within the sun's warm rays, just seeing this sight too calmed him as he remembered his father's wise and noble words, that he and all around him were a part of something much grand and bigger. The circle of life.

Sighing again he finally relaxed feeling comforted and so becoming this way he awoke himself more as he stretched himself forwards arching his back. Finishing as he flexed his neck getting his muscles back into shape he turned to his right as he saw one of the lion's that he had accepted into his Pride,'Jona' if he remembered correctly? For there the orange tinted lioness was as she slumbered on peacefully, looking at her filled Simba with displease for though she and Kovu had claimed to come in peace he still didn't trust either of them whatsoever!

But as he looked he saw Kovu wasn't there! Where would he be at this time in the morning? But as he continued to looked in Jona's direction over her back his attention snapped back to her as he noticed something else that quickly distracted him, curious he got closer and there he saw something that really surprised him. Lying on her back was Cait sith out stretched purring away along with Mickey who had his head on his back as his black tail was coiled up around him making him almost like a cat too. Then finally in her arms he saw she was almost cradling two small cubs that were Riku and the small tiger cub who's name passed his memory.

Curious he asked aloud as he gazed upon them all, "Sora's friends are-"

"Mmm...?" The small little tiger cub then started to stir and as she opened her lilac coloured eyes sleepily she looked puzzled.

There was silence between them for a few moments as he then heard her ask, "king Simba...?"

Seeing he'd awoken her he let a small smile reveal itself as he replied, "yeah that's right... and you're?"

Yawning widely showing her little sharp teeth as sleep had not fully fled from her she replied after licking her lips a little, "Nozomi..."

"Nozomi? I see..." Simba repeated, for he couldn't remember this girl ever being mentioned in Sora's travels nor did he have any memory of Cait sith either but since the two were with Mickey and Riku, he knew they could be trusted. But he decided not to enquire about that then and instead he asked her, "can I ask you? Why are you and your friends sleeping here with these Outsiders? You know you are allowed to sleep with-"

Interrupting him still half asleep and forgetting her manners Nozomi then told the lion king, "oh?... well we just didn't want them to sleep in the dark you see? Cause well... I mean me and the others are kinda outsiders too and we couldn't leave them alone and stuff so...yeah?"

Hearing her brief reasons and seeing her sleepiness baffled but at the same time amused the king of the Pride Lands and so taking this into consideration he let out a small laugh as he replied, "oh I see!"

Nozomi though still not getting it as he laughed still in her droopy eyed state asked, "are you all right king Simba? Did you have a bad dream or something?"

At this question and remembering the nightmare he did have quickly made him become solemn as the paranoid terror haunted him inside. However not wanting to worry someone so early and so young in the morning he told her with a gentle smile, "yeah something like that... it's nothing to worry about though... you should just get some more sleep."

Nozomi still sleepily droopy couldn't read everything quite well and so simply stared on at Simba as he turned to leave but as he did she asked, "where are you going?"

Hearing her ask he turned around and looked at her for a brief moment before he replied, "I'm just going to go and refresh myself, nothing for you to worry about." Then with that he turned as he went down the cliff's edge to rejuvenate himself for the day at a certain little watering hole in the Pride Lands.

With this info given Nozomi replied, "huh...? Okay..." With that she nestled back down as she went to sleep in for a little longer...

This didn't last too long as suddenly, "oi! Rise and shiny! Maties!"

Cait sith was awake and true to his word he was now busy being an annoying alarm clock as much as one could be as he started jumping up and down on Jona's back, "it's mornin' mates! It's mornin! Come on! Get those tails shakin'!"

Riku not in the mood for this rolled on his side as he spoke, "urgh!"

However Cait sith continued pestering on as he now jumped off the lionesses back and started running around and around them all crying out loudly, "c'mon! Up! Up! Up! Move it! Come on!"

Opening his eyes becoming more annoyed by the minute Riku spoke, "this makes me wish he was born with a snooze button!"

Cait sith hearing the first word of life moved straight in towards Riku's direction as he told him, "well look who's come back to the land of the livin' good old snow drop here! We can always rely on ya ta be the first up huh?"

Annoyed as Riku heard the small cat laugh simply turned on his side not wanting to listen to him, meanwhile still on top of Jona himself now getting up the king stretched his small arms up trying to awaken his muscles and as he saw his small feline companion he spoke in his usual optimistic tone, "even in the morning yer still really active hey Cait sith?"

Hearing him the small cat saluted to his mouse buddy as he replied, "ya got that right there mouse cheeks mate!"

Jona hearing all this noise herself eased herself out of her own slumber and as she did she spoke, "oh... now who's makin' all this liveliness early in the morning?"

Seeing that he'd awakened her Cait sith waved to her too as he said, "mornin' to ya Jona lass! Have sweet dreams did ya?"

Seeing who was being the alarm clock Jona simply smiled as she replied, "yeah... I certainly did..." then looking down she saw that Riku and Nozomi were resting within her arms and paws. Looking at them she smiled a little more and spoke again, "and it looks like a couple of little ones here are still having a nice little slumber."

Riku feeling comfortable shuffled a little when suddenly he felt himself being turned over which suddenly startled him, opening his eyes quickly he saw Jona looking over him as she said, "are you awake now honey?"

Feeling confused he asked, "huh?" Then suddenly he felt something scratch into the back of his head, turning over he saw that it was one of Jona's claws and as he saw that one and the rest exposed from her paw he immediately became startled and in moments as quickly as he could he moved himself out of her grasp. Then looking at her and her overly relaxed face he wondered how on earth he could have slept in such a place?!

Mickey watching from Jona's back seeing Riku become all flustered quickly climbed down from her and rushed over to him as he asked him, "are you okay Riku?"

Recovering from his startled moment and looking to the king he then remembered the sleeping arrangements that had been done last night and as he did he sighed as he felt silly now, "yeah... yeah I'm fine your majesty I'm just not... with it this morning."

Hearing him being flustered Mickey laughed as he replied, "oh I can understand that!"

Cait sith seeing Riku acting this way smiled as he climbed back onto Jona's back and as he did he told him, "bet ya'd rather have had my wake up call hey snow drop?"

Annoyed at this comment Riku replied dryly, "no comment."

Seeing the friendliness between this cat, mouse and cub made Jona smile herself and then looking down she saw that she still had one little cub left still slumbering in her left paw and as she did she decided on something fun.

Nozomi sleeping away felt something strange come over herself as she felt like somehow she was being brushed, however this annoyed her as she spoke, "mmmpph?!"

Turning over she continued to feel this odd brushing as it went over the side of her arm making her twitch and as it did she spoke again, "oh...? Um what?"

Then as her consciousness awoke more and more this brushing she felt was oddly wet and warm as well and as this came over her she opened her eyes. Looking up she suddenly saw something big, pink and wet coming towards her! As she did her eyes widened as she cried out, "hey! What-"

Then she felt this thing go up against her cheek, as it spread to the top of her head and as it did she finally saw that Jona was licking her! Feeling weird from this as she was being cleaned and licked awake she asked, "what's going on what-"

Finishing her work and seeing that she was clean all over Jona smiled as she asked, "awww you with us now sweet heart?"

Looking up at her as she was still in her left paw Nozomi asked embarrassed beyond all measure, "J, J, Jona why did you do that? What made you-"

Smiling brightly at her adorable confusion the lioness told her, "aww well you were so cute and slumberin' away that I decided to give you a little clean, yer not upset with me about that are you?"

Feeling utterly perplexed Nozomi didn't know how to respond at all, but then she managed to somehow laugh awkwardly as she responded, "uh well... um? No... but ya could have simply just nudged me awake you know? I-" then looking behind her Nozomi saw then that Kovu wasn't there with them! Seeing this she asked, "hey? Where's Kovu?"

At this question Jona looked behind herself and then back down to her as she smiled and replied, "oh? Him? He simply got up a little earlier, he said he was gonna do a little bit of huntin' around, it's nothin' for you guys to worry about."

Listening to this Nozomi repeated, "hunting?" Then after a moment a key memory clicked into place as she remembered last night, "oh yeah! We're supposed to go hunting training with him and Kiara!" Then becoming worried she asked, "oh man! We're late aren't we!? We're-"

Hearing her go on a worried tangent Jona laughed aloud which stopped Nozomi in her tracks and made everyone else look at her oddly too, Riku then asked curiously, "what's so funny?"

Finishing her chuckle Jona shook her head as she told them all, "oh it's nothing honeys, nothing at all! Besides I don't think we're that late! Shall we all go and catch up to him and her?"

Hearing this suggestion Cait sith nodded brightly as he replied, "heck yeah Jona lass! Otherwise me job as an alarm clock will all go to waste won't it?!"

Nozomi puzzled at this asked, "alarm clock?"

Riku annoyed in moments replied, "don't ask!"

Hearing him Nozomi was puzzled again but quickly all the awakened Outsiders got themselves together and after a little bit they all went down the Pride Rock's side to go over and catch up to their expert teacher and rookie princess.

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Meanwhile Simba walked in his Pride Lands with complete calm, fully relaxed for what did he have to fear in his lands? Making it quietly over to the watering hole he bent down his head as he started to drink allowing him to finally refresh himself properly.

However the very subject of his paranoid nightmare was standing some distance away behind a particular few blood red rocks looking at him with a fierce and deadly intent in his green lit eyes.

Looking at his target's unsuspecting form Kovu growled away angrily as his claws were now fully exposed! As he continued to look at the king of the Pride Lands he knew it was now! Now was the time for revenge! So gearing himself back he was ready to bound forwards when suddenly-

"Good morning!" Suddenly Kiara appearred out of nowhere as she laughed joyfully for finally she was going to get her eagerly anticipated hunting session! Jumping to his side she spoke out, "I'm ready for my first lesson! Surprised ya huh?" She asked as she'd seen Kovu's surprised expression when she'd suddenly appeared before him! She was becoming good already!

Kovu turning from her looked to the watering hole again and saw that his target had vanished! He'd missed his chance! This annoyed him bitterly from the inside out! Then suddenly, "Kovu! Kiara!"

Turning once again he looked and saw Nozomi with Cait sith on her back, Riku, Mickey and Jona quickly approaching him and the princess. Seeing her friends were awake and that they'd made it to them on time she cried out, "hi guys!" With that she ran over to them.

Seeing her coming Nozomi smiled widely herself as she cried out, "hi Kiara!"

Then as she made it over to them Kiara asked her and then the others excitedly, "isn't this great we're all goin' hunting again together! I bet we'll all be aces by the end of the day!"

At this statement Riku rolled his eyes as he replied, "and that was the exact same quote from yesterday!"

Cait sith on Nozomi's back hearing this told the white lion cub, "oh don't be such grump puss snow drop! Besides this'll be a good stretch and half I reckon!"

Laughing himself at his small feline friend's enthusiasm Mickey told him, "yeah I agree... besides it might improve our fighting style ya know Riku?"

Hearing the chipperness of these two it was still too early in the morning for him to respond with anything too proper and so he simply responded, "yeah sure whatever..."

Nozomi finishing her little laughing session and good mornings to Kiara walked back over to the others and seeing Riku wasn't so enthusiastic told him, "oh don't worry snowball! You'll do great! I'm sure this'll be a great day of fun for everyone!"

Hearing her being happy Riku looked at her and as he did he sighed as a smile finally came over his face, for how could he be gloomy when even she was being so positive?

Seeing that her friends were now all ready to go the lioness princess then announced, "okay guys! C'mon let's go!" With that she ran on ahead enthusiastically.

Seeing her go onwards Nozomi called out laughing, "hey wait for us Kiara!" With that she ran forwards to catch up to her.

On the female tiger cub's striped back Cait sith then called out proudly, "forwards on mates!"

With that Mickey spoke out, "all right off we go!" With that both him and Riku rushed on forwards to take part in the much anticipated lesson.

Seeing them all rushing on forwards fully pumped Jona smiled as she spoke aloud as they dissapeared into the grass, "ah youth! So energetic!" With that she looked back to Kovu as she asked him, "am I right?"

Looking at her annoyed bitterly Kovu told her, "why did you lead them all over here so quickly!" Looking back to the watering hole he told her, "I had a perfect oppurtunity just now! Just a little more and I would of-"

Suddenly as he turned Jona had made her way over to him in moments in swift silence and as she did she told him, "you would of what?!" For now as he looked at her in Jona's yellow eyes there was now a fierce intensity that silenced and chilled him in moments.

Jona then told him harshly, "you didn't have any real oppurtunity there at all! You were in the open and in broad daylight! And that princess was obviously going to find you with that over enthusiasm of hers!" Kovu nearly felt like cowering as he looked at her for she was now just as terrifying as Zira... it was no wonder she was her number two!

She then continued as she told him, "I would advise you to think more wisely before you act next time!" Then as she turned around and walked a slight distance her tone changed again as she became coy once more, "besides... there's no real rush here! I say we should enjoy ourselves properly..." then looking to him she asked further, "don't you think?"

Hearing her say this Kovu didn't know how to react at first but then he told her, "but Zira wants this to be finished! I mean if it's not done quickly then she'll-"

Suddenly once again with that stealth like speed of hers Jona made her way over to him as she told him with cunning grin on her face, "she'll be fine darling!" Then seeing that he was concentrating on her again Jona smiled as she told him further, "besides... I'm sure that that little cheetah and that Pete guy will keep her amused...so relax and unwind!" Then she leaned forwards and licked him upon his cheek making him look at her wide eyed as he quickly jumped back shocked.

Then looking at him with that dark seductive intensity in her eyes it chilled him further inside as she told him, "and I personally am interested in seeing what little dark tricks those two are gonna deal out..."then looking away from him again she looked up into the sky, "that power of darkness I feel from them... it's intoxicating!"

Kovu listening to her as she said this was on edge still but then looking at her he decided to speak his mind as he told her, "Jona?"

Continuing to look upwards Jona turned her head to look at Kovu as she asked,"hm?"

The Outsider lion then told her, "your obsession with power is going to kill you one day!"

At this statement Jona let out a little sarcastic laugh as she replied, "oh really?"

But then before he could say anything more suddenly there was a call, "hey Kovu! Jona are you guys coming!?"

Hearing the cry of the lioness princess Kovu looked to the distance and before he could say anything Jona called back, "we're on our way sugar darlin'! Just hang on!" Then looking back to the prince of the Outlanders Jona told him, "well you heard our little princess, let's go shall we?"

Then with that Jona ran on ahead of him and as she did he still felt chilled inside and it made him wonder inside, what were Jona's true intentions? But knowing this was no time to debate or question things he ran forwards as went to go and teach these rookies what it meant to be a true hunter.