Chapter CXXXIII: Divided, The Conflict Upon The Pridelands Part IX

Gazing upon the energetic kinetics of play amongst the lions of the Pride Lands with her ice cold green eyes, Hari stood silently upon a high cliff. She said nothing as she watched them as they had now given up chasing the annoying birds that were interfering with Timon and Pumba's grub buffet and they were now seemingly playing a game of tag.

As she continued watching on, Pete who was also observing next to her spoke, "well would ya look at that! Seems those chumps don't have no care about nothin' huh?" He asked as he looked to Her.

However she did not reply to him, again. This had been now the so manyeth time he had to tried to initiate a conversation but it had come to nothing! When they had first arrived he'd been assuming that she hadn't said anything to him because he might have been distracting her or something?

Then as some more time had gone on he'd now had another thought, maybe she might hate him? But then why did she save him when they first arrived? Or even from Zira that time? It just didn't make any sense?

These thoughts plaguing him he then decided to try and ask her, "hey Ha-"

"Finally!"

Stopping him in his tracks Pete turned and then saw who made it to their little observatory point, wearing her emerald earrings it was none other than Jona, she looked annoyed as she strode across towards them as she continued, "it took me ages to get away from those guys!" Then sighing she sat herself next to Hari's other side as she finished,"being good makes you way too clingy!"

Hari however said nothing as she simply continued gazing upon the playful scene below them, Jona looking up to her saw that she was probably not going to get anything out of her and so she turned and asked the other guy, "so what's the plan now with you guys?"

Hearing her ask this question Pete was a little uncertain at first how to reply but then regaining his composure he told her, "the plan? Oh well that's gonna be goin' real easy! We'll be 'em boxin' in and then we'll snare 'em right-"

Suddenly then Hari got up as she continued to gaze on at the scene, this startled Pete and even Jona slightly, however quickly recovering herself she smiled as she said, "oh? Is that plan being set off now?"

Hari though didn't answer her and seeing this Jona looked below and saw now that the lot of heroes were now starting to run across the fields and as they did they were running towards a certain location and looking at it, it clicked in her mind about what the plan probably was.

Pete looking at the lions as they were all running in that direction, then noticed one in particular as he asked, "that Kovu mutt? What's he playin' at?"

Jona hearing him replied cooly, "gettin' his first taste of fun..." then looking down at him she then continued as a somewhat mischief like smile decorated her face, "and I'd say he's probably become addicted."

At this reply Pete asked, "oh?" Then looking down at the Prince of the Outsider Lions he said, "goin' soft is he?"... After another moment he asked a particular important question that occurred to him, "do ya reckon he'll turn?"

Hearing him Jona asked, "What? Who Kovu?"

To which Pete simply nodded to her.

As he replied with this simple gesture Jona looked back to the lion as he continued to run with their foes, looking at the bright happy smile on his face a smirk appeared on Jona's face and as it did she replied closing her eyes, "who knows...?"

Hearing this rather enigmatic reply Pete was confused but then Hari still sitting up turned and looking to the distance she said in her cold toned voice, "come... the trap begins now..." with that running fast down the cliff Pete and Jona went after her as everything was going to start now.

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Running forwards laughing heartily Nozomi was having a blast and so were all her friends who were a little distance behind her, smiling she called out, "c'mon hurry up you guys! Otherwise I'll beat you to the other side!"

For the game that they were now all playing together had been thought up when they'd all been running on the plains. Nozomi had noticed the rich brown coloured stone of this canyon like place and she decided on a game that would really give it their all! And what was better then a race?

"Not if I catch you first!" Kovu called out for he was really, really enjoying himself now. He'd never before done this as young cub and this feeling inside him was enthralling!

"That's if ya can Kovu mate!" Cait sith cried out as he continued to ride upon the tiger cub's back and as he turned around he pointed energetically forwards as he encouraged her, "full speed ahead lass!"

Hearing him Nozomi replied, "you got it Cait sith!" With that she ran a little faster and with that she entered the canyon rocks.

Seeing her go in Riku rolled his eyes as he spoke his thoughts, "she's going overboard again!"

Mickey next to him and hearing his words as he hopped forwards told him, "aww Riku! She's just havin' a good time here! You're havin' fun with us too aren't ya?"

At the king's words Riku looked down to him and quickly the annoyance in his eyes left and as a smile appeared on his face he told Mickey, "I never said I wasn't! Anyway!" With that turning forwards he looked on with eagerness as he finished, "now let's give everyone here a real show of speed!"

Hearing his words Mickey nodded happily and with that both keybladers entered the rocky paths too and as they did quickly Kiara, Kovu, Timon and Pumba did too as the small Meerkat called out, "hey wait up ya crazy road runners!"

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Watching as they all ran past and entered the canyon rocks Jona, Hari and Pete came out of their hiding places. As they did Jona smiled as she said, "well looks like a lot of people are havin' fun here eh?"

Hearing the amusement in her voice Pete smiled menacingly himself as he then laughed and replied, "that those chumps are!" Then looking to the opening of the rocks he added, "and now it's time for our fun ta get started!"

With that gripping his paws into the earth hard at once a few portals of swirling darkness emerged and from within their depths tall muscular Defender heartless emerged with their large shields snapped and growled angrily.

Seeing them Jona was impressed as she spoke, "oooh? Tall strong and handsome?" Then a flirtatious smirk appeared on her face as she added, "I like it!"

Enjoying these comments Pete then replied to her, "oh ya haven't seen nothin' yet!" With that he turned to the heartless again as he ordered them, "now c'mon ya yuts! Get some smackin' done!"

At once the heartless moved immediately into position and all of them started smashing their shields into the rocks of the canyon and with each thrust the pummelling became faster and faster until it seemed they were almost drilling into the rock.

Hari standing a slight distance away watched as the heartless all continued to pummel away at the rock and as they did it cracked more and more from the force until finally it all collapsed and in moments tons of rocks fell, tumbling and colliding down hard as they blocked the entry point followed by a huge cloud of dust .

Continuing to look on silently Hari heard Pete as he proclaimed loudly, "ha! Now no one ain't gonna be exitin' this little party!"

Jona continuing to smile enjoying herself just as much then replied to Pete, "yeah well that's obviously and totally true!"

Hari though as to be expected didn't smile and instead she walked towards the rocks walking past both Pete and Jona. As she did she spoken then herself, "now for the second stage." With that she climbed and arriving around the top of the surrounding canyon rocks she initiated her speed of a cheetah and sped faster than lightning onwards to the other side.

Jona seeing her go looked on with a smile still as she looked forward to what Hari was going to deal out, Pete though looking after her felt a tug of worry within his heart again as he watched after her quietly.

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As the heroes all ran on forwards still caught in the cloud of excited fun, Kiara turned around as they turned a corner as she thought she'd heard something, turning again she asked everyone, "did you guys hear something?"

At this question Timon responded, "yeah sure we did!"

Kiara amazed asked, "you did?"

Timon laughed as he responded, "yeah!" With that he smacked Pumba's side making him go a little faster as he laughed and said, "the sound of you guys eating our dirt!" With that they left a dust trail behind themselves which flew into Kiara and Kovu's faces.

Annoyed Kiara cried out, "hey!" With that it pushed her on forwards along with Kovu as he wasn't going to lose to these small guys!

Nozomi further on ahead then the others still immensely enjoying herself laughed as she said, "ha! This is great!"

Cait sith nodding himself proud he was on his winning steed told her, "ya got that right lass!" Then looking ahead he told her, "lass corner comin' up!"

Hearing him Nozomi looked ahead and saw it, quickly she replied, "right got it!" At once using her agility she ran around the side of the rock riding the corner as she sprinted and quickly following the momentum she landed upon the ground again in a matter of seconds.

Laughing aloud it was amazing how fast she could go as a tiger cub like this compared to her human form! Looking above she saw the warm blue sky which made her smile all the more, but suddenly as she did she saw a certain shape on the top sides of the canyon.

Standing there looking down at her with icy green eyes was a cheetah, it was red hued in colour and as she looked at it, it seemed familiar to her somehow? But why-

Then suddenly from the Cheetah's back emerged huge metallic wired wings and as the pale yellow sail feathers emerged shining in the light Nozomi recognised her in seconds! It was Ha-

"LASS!"

Hearing Cait sith shout loud out made Nozomi break out of her moment of stunned shock as she looked on ahead and quickly in moments she gritted her claws into the earth making her come to an almighty halt.

As she stopped and looked up, her joy fled in moments as she stared into the eyes of huge rage filled monsters, heartless! Looking at them with terror filling her heart she quickly realised what the others would be running into! This was bad! It was really, really bad! Quickly she turned on her heels as she headed back, she had to stop the others!

Running forwards Cait sith told her, "lass! Hurry up! Hurry up! Ya gotta-"

Nozomi told him, "I know! I know Cait sith! C'mon we gotta-" quickly then she rounded the corner again and quickly she saw the others coming straight towards her!

In the distance themselves still running Kovu and Kiara had caught up with Mickey, Riku along with Timon and Pumba as they all raced on hard together, still laughing joyfully Kovu shouted, "yeehaw!"

Riku himself smiled brightly as he shouted this out, then looking on ahead he saw the most agile of his comrades standing in the pathway as she was waving her paws back and forth, it also seemed she was trying to shout out something.

Looking at her Riku's eyes became confused as he asked, "Nozomi?"

Mickey hearing him looked on ahead and saw her too and became just as concerned, however the Pride Land lioness, her babysitters and the Out Lander lion didn't notice at all .

Kiara looking at Nozomi laughed as she said, "aww look Nozomi's decided to wait for us!"

Looking at her himself Kovu spoke as arrogance rose inside him making him ignore the look of worry on Nozomi's face, "well she'll be waiting all right!"

In the meantime Nozomi was trying to shout out to the others, "guys! Stop! Don't go on! There's-"

However quickly everyone ran past her, which made her spin around and around from the speed of the group making her dizzy from the rush it nearly made her fall over.

Kovu then laughed loudly as he finished, "in the dust!"

Cait sith on her back still holding on for dear life shouted out after the group as he spun, "ya dafts! Ya runnin' to certain death!" Quickly he then pulled Nozomi's hair again as he told her getting her senses back in order with annoying pain, "lass c'mon get up! We gotta put the breaks on them lot!"

Cringing from pain Nozomi spoke, "ow! All right! All right! Stop pulling at me!" With that she was quickly back on her paws again as she started running after the others, meanwhile they had made it past the corner and as they ran on forwards there was a huge shout of laughter from them all except Riku and Mickey.

Kovu spoke again loudly motivated by fun,"ha! That was-"

"AAAAGGGGGGGHHHHHH!"

As these screams of Timon and Pumba filled the air everyone at once stopped as the same fright that had affected Nozomi was now working on them too!

There standing before them all were six tall, enormous heartless. They were all almost like Triceratops, they all all seemed to be made out of wood, from their heads emerged sharpened tree branches and behind them were thorny bushes and from their cheeks emerged curved like tusks also made of wood.

As Kovu stared into one of the creatures eyes which were hauntingly yellow squiggling around and around making the creature seem mad, it then suddenly pushed it's horned nose forwards towards him as it was now smelling him.

Running and finally making it to everyone else, Nozomi then saw that they too were now looking at the heartless too! And as she saw the creature breathing in Kovu's scent she heard Pumba speak up in fright as he asked, "what is?! What is that?!"

Cait sith then spoke up getting everyone's attention, "I'll tell ya lot what this things are and what this all means!"

Then suddenly from the heartless's mouth echoed a huge deafening bellow that made everyone's centre tremble and at once they all began to dig their hooves into the earth ready to charge Cait sith finished loudly, "it means they're all heartless and we all gotta scram!"

At once taking his advice in seconds they all started to run for their lives as all the enormous heartless started to chase after them, making the earth shake and rumble from their enormous weight which also echoed their terrifying strength.

Mickey couldn't believe it! Heartless had emerged again! He then spoke his thoughts, "Riku did you see 'em they were-"

At once the white coloured lion nodded as he knew in moments what he was going to say, "yeah! They were placed! This isn't just a random event!"

"Who cares about that!" Quickly Riku and Mickey turned as Nozomi had slowed her pace to run with them all, she then continued as she said, "it doesn't matter how they got here! What we got to care about right now is how we're going to get rid of these things!"

Hearing her words Mickey quickly was snapped back to reality as he knew it to be true, there was no time to theorise or conjecture about why the heartless had emerged or who had brought them here and so quickly he replied to her, "yeah I know Nozomi! You're right!" Then looking back at the heartless as they continued to stampede after them Mickey looked back ahead as he decided quickly, "we gotta get somewhere where we've got more space to move and think! We haven't got that here!"

Kovu listening in on this conversation knew inside how these heartless probably emerged, but why did they? He was here with these guys! Why would they? But a sickening realisation came inside him, would Jona?

At once though the heartless roared loudly behind them again which startled him out of his thoughts, quickly he looked ahead as he told them all, "c'mon if we need space! Then let's get back to the entrance!"

Listening herself becoming just as worried inside she spoke up, "right! Let's go guys!"

With that everyone moved on as fast as they could, but as they did Nozomi could hear another kind of rumble and as she looked behind she saw dust and rocks fall in the distance and as she squinted she swore she could see a swirl of darkness vanish. Why would that-

But quickly then again they turned the corner and as they did with absolute fervently they made their way to get back to the entrance! But then-

"What the?!" Timon shouted out for there in front of them, the way in they'd all come through was now completely and utterly damned! It was blocked with huge rocks and stones!

Pumba then echoed everyone's terrified thoughts as he cried out, "there's no way out!"

Kiara then echoed this scared inside too, "we're trapped!" This then made her think back to her grandfather! This was almost a repeat of the past!

Then as this sight and realisation settled into their horrified eyes, from behind them they could all hear the heartless coming their way as they all collided into the corner and were all struggling against each other to squeeze through and make their way to their now helpless prey.

Seeing this Riku spoke on as he broke the horrified silence, "everyone c'mon this way!" At once following his lead they all quickly ran on forwards trying to gain some distance between them and the stampeding heartless.

Running on forwards Nozomi then asked him, "Riku where are we supposed to go! What can we-"

But then he told her, "if I'm right this entire place is a ringed path of rocks! If we just keep going forwards we can make it to the exit point we were originally going to use!"

At this Nozomi smiled as she realised this too as the image emerged in her mind! Pleased she spoke out, "yeah that's it! We can just-" but then another strike of realisation occurred as she remembered, "no!"

Looking at her Riku asked,"no?"

Nozomi then told him, "no! We won't be able to get out through there either!"

Cait sith then shocked demanded, "what?!"

Mickey hearing this as he hopped next to his comrades asked her, "what do you mean Nozomi?"

With that quickly she told them all, "I saw her! Hari's here!"

Almost gasping Mickey's eyes widened as Riku asked her, "Hari!?"

Nozomi nodded and as she did Kiara asked listening in, "Hari? Who's that? What does-"

Quickly hearing her question Cait sith told her, "she's bad news lass! She's a real bad piece of work! She's got the power to cut through anythin' and everythin! She's been a real pain for a long, long while for us and anyone else we've met!"

Nodding Nozomi then added, "yeah! And a little earlier I saw stone and dust fall and a swirl of darkness of some kind which means-"

"She's cut us off!" Kovu finished to which Nozomi nodded quickly.

Hearing this Kiara couldn't believe it! That sounded horrible what this 'Hari' could do and quickly she asked realising the awful truth that had been revealed, "so you're saying she's boxed us in! And those heartless, they're going to! -"

At once there was another crash as the heartless had made it past another corner as they were now coming on top of them!

Looking at them terrified Nozomi knew something had to be done! They had to get rid of them somehow! She knew that her, Riku, Mickey and Cait sith could all do something! But -

Nozomi then asked scared "what do we do!?"

Hearing her Cait sith asked, "do about what now lass?! Ya know we all gotta keep runnin' or-"

Quickly though Nozomi told him, "no! We can't just keep running I know we can do something along with Riku and Mickey, but! I can't let Kovu, Kiara, Pumba and Timon get hurt!"

Cait sith was stilled as heard the concern in her voice as he inside too didn't want anyone to get hurt and looking around himself he heard Nozomi continue, "I mean what can we do!? What can we-"

"Lass!"

Stopping her in her tracks Cait sith cried out as he pointed out, "look there!"

Then suddenly she saw it! A craggy line in the wall! Stopping quickly she asked, "a crack?" For looking at it she could see it was a deep crack, Cait sith quickly judged its size as the other's all ran past them both.

Quickly stopping as he saw both his friends come to a stand still Riku ran back to them as he demanded, "Nozomi! Cait sith what're you both doing! We've got to-"

Cait sith then told him, "hush it lad! I think we might be on to something!"

Hearing this he was puzzled as he saw the crack as he asked, "onto something?"

Quickly then the others came back in their direction too as Kiara called out, "guys what're you all doing we've got to-"

Nozomi then told her, "we've got something!"

Kovu puzzled at this said nothing, what could they possibly think of in this situation?

Timon then demanded, "got what! Unless you guys have got a rock sized bull dozer parked somewhere that can run through them things then we-"

Cait sith then interrupted the meerkat as he told him, "a shelter! A shelter mate! That's we got here!"

At this Kovu asked sceptically, "a shelter?"

Nozomi quickly nodded as she told them all, "yeah! That's right!"

Looking at this so-called shelter though as he saw the crack, Timon became sarcastic in seconds as said with a smile, "oh yeah! That's totally high class and I guess caviar and wine are gonna be the special offers on hand, huh?"

Not quite getting it Nozomi asked, "what?"

Then outraged Timon demanded, "that's a crack in the wall! What's that supposed to-"

Cait sith then just as loud mouthed told him, "it's supposed to be a shelter fer ya dafts! Ya lot will be stayin' here out of sight and outta the way while this lass, mouse cheeks and snow drops will be takin' them heartless to the cleaners!"

At this information as it sunk in Kiara spoke, "wait so? Timon, Pumba..." then looking to Kovu who looked back just as baffled asked,"along with me and Kovu? You want us to stay in this cracked wall?"

Nozomi nodded as she told her, "yeah! You'll all be safe in here! Then we can all deal with the heartless until it's safe for you all to come out!"

Kiara though discovering she was going to be coddled again then demanded, "I don't need that! I can help you! Me and Kovu we can't let-"

But then there was a rumble in the earth! The heartless were coming!

Mickey quickly using his skills of diplomacy spoke, "please Kiara! You and Kovu don't have the skills to fight these large heartless! Please don't think we're trying to treat you in the same way your father does! This is the only thing we can do for you all right now!"

Kiara hearing this was silenced but then she felt something and looking down she saw Nozomi as she had her stripy paw on her leg, the small tiger cub then said, "Kiara please! I don't want you to get hurt!"

Then looking at the pleadingness in her eyes Kiara knew inside it to be the truth and though she didn't like it, she relented and quickly she agreed, "okay... all right!" Then with that she ran to the crack and began to enter it.

As she went to do this Kovu spoke out, "Kiara!" Then looking to the small cubs and kangaroo mouse he asked them all, "why're you all doing this! I mean we-"

Riku then told him, "because this is what friends do for each other Kovu! We cover for each other and help one another, no matter what giant calmity's there! That's what we all want to do for you all now."

Hearing these words Kovu had never expected this as he asked, "we're friends?"

To which in reply Mickey nodded but then looking he saw the heartless were now coming! So quickly he told him, "Kovu please hurry!"

Hearing this he was quiet but Timon and Pumba rushed forwards as the meerkat spoke out, "ya don't have to tell us twice!"

Then watching as both the small mammals ran Kovu looked to the keybladers again and before he left reluctantly he told them all, "you all just be careful! Don't get stamped on!" Then with that he entered the crack too as Timon and Pumba entered after him, though it was a very tight fit.

Now seeing that they were all safe it was then quickly that all the keybladers all ran forwards as quickly in seconds all the heartless all came after them too. Then as Nozomi ran with Riku and Mickey she looked back and saw with relief that the heartless were continuing to chase after them! "We've done it! They're not noticing Kiara or the others!"

Glad to have this as good news Riku replied, "great!"

Mickey nodded as he hopped and replied, "yeah that is a relief!"

Cait sith spoke up then too with a sarcastic happy tone, "yeah that's all nice, very nice! But-" At once the heartless all roared loudly behind them again and as they did he quickly shouted, "now it's about time we start worryin' about ourselves lads!"

At once hearing this they all looked each other and nodded in unison, for they all knew this was going to be a real difficult fight and together as they raced through the bleak rocky ringed canyon... it was time to think of something... for now it was time for battle!