Chapter CXXVI: Divided, The Conflict Upon The Pridelands Part II
Walking on cautiously as he put one paw in front of the other Pete followed Hari forwards, once again he had become the tall bulky black lion creature he had been sometime ago, now though unlike before he found it easier to manoeuvre himself but he was very wary of the environment they were in.
It was an awful place eerily dark with a green gloomy light illuminating everything revealing the stone and mortar they were surrounded by, the ground was charred and black as there was a scent of soot and sulphur as something beneath the ground was burning which he felt as well as he walked on.
Touching one particular hot spot he withdrew his paw as he spoke, "ow! That smarts!" Then from behind him he heard the sound of something rumble which made him feel all the more uncomfortable, turning back he asked, "what was that there?!"
Hari though didn't give any of her words of logic to calm his emotional state as she continued to walk forwards with one paw in front of the other herself.
Looking back to her Pete didn't know what to do so he simply continued to follow after her, like him too she had also been transformed into an animal however unlike him she was instead a long and elegant spotted cheetah. But unlike most her fur was a warm a light red like brown which made her an enchanting creature to gaze upon.
As Pete followed her though he wondered to himself, 'why hasn't she said anythin' to me?' For since they had arrived Hari had not spoken a word to him or looked at him at all, even with all the complaints or little emotes of fright that had escaped from his mouth.
He wondered then, 'just what was she doin when I wasn't with her?' But as he asked this question Maleficent's evil face and smile came into his minds eye which made him feel an awful dread inside.
But he had to get some communication going between them, even if it was only a little, "hey Hari? Do ya know where we are goin'? Cause I don't and-"
Suddenly Hari stopped in her tracks as Pete did too, he wondered then, "what did I say somethin' ta ?-"
But instead of answering him Hari hid herself as she went behind a particular set of rocks beside them, seeing her go Pete was confused, what was going on? But then suddenly he heard voices in the distance, as he heard them he quickly then did as Hari had done as he quickly ran to the same patch she was in hiding himself away.
Peeking around the corner as he quietly watched on he saw three figures emerge from the bones of an elephant, all three of them were lions. One the male of the group spoke up as he said, "eeewwww! This place even creepier since the hyenas ran off!" Clearly this lion was annoyed and bored with the situation. He was a scruffy creature with what remained of his mane a scratched up mess, his brown fur also showed the same amount of wear and tear. Even his whiskers beneath his yellow and red eyes were a zig zaggy mess.
Beside him was a lioness though she was a rough looking creature she was not as 'flea bitten' as her male counter part, her eyes too also had a shade of yellow but her irises were a shade of cold blue but it was clear they were related to each other as she simply rolled her eyes and went into the charring chasm with a couple of twigs in her mouth.
Trying to keep his composure the lion spoke on as he said, "hey, y'know I'm not scared! Right Jona?" He asked as he turned to their following companion.
Looking at this creature she was a lioness too however unlike the two of her scruffy companions this lioness was very, very well groomed as she had warm yellow fur all over her sleek and graceful body and on the top of her head was a few tufts of orange fur making a fringe. Then looking to her ears there were a pair of golden and emerald engraved earrings that were pierced into them.
Hearing her companion as he spoke to her, Jona looked to him with her golden eyes as she replied coolly, "yeah, Nuka honey, I know..." With that she leaped down herself as she went to catch up to the other lioness.
Charmed all over again as she had called him honey, Nuka quickly went to join the two lionesses in their hunt for the one core objective source of their mission. Fire.
Walking over to the two of them the smile still on his face he heard Jona as she asked the other lioness, "hey? Vitani you sure this thing's faithful?"
Hearing her question the cooled eyed lioness replied to her as she dropped the wood over the edge of the hole, "oh yeah you just wait and see!"
Seeing that the two females were so eager Nuka then decided to try and make more of a conversation and not be left out, "you know I don't know why we have to be here? I mean if Kovu's so special why does he need the three of us for this?"
At the question Jona rolled her yellow eyes as she knew this was going to turn into another typical rant unless she stepped in, so taking her usual casual stride she told him, "because honey... this is somethin' that's called a covert operation of seek and destroy... we're the seekers and hence... Kovu is the destroyer!"
Seeing her look at him with her hypnotising eyes Nuka couldn't help but feel himself melt inside and as he continued to look at her she told him, "you understand now honey? Someone who's gonna be a big bad powerful leader is gonna need the minions to do the dirty work? Right?"
With that Nuka felt jarred inside as he watched Jona walk away coolly as she went to join Vitani again to wait for the fire ignite as she told him, "and why not? Especially
when we're gonna finally get our claws on some good land and prey... hey Vitani?"
Hearing her amused tone Vitani herself brightened too having just as an amused smile on her face looking smug imagining the sweet victory that would soon come to them.
Annoyed at hearing her say this and thinking of the oh so great Kovu again he then told them both, "leader?! Leader!? I could be a leader! I've never had a chance to-"
Suddenly there was a gush of fire that scared Nuka witless as he darted forwards and covered his head with his paws as he cowered as though the whole chasm would blow. Seeing this Vitani rolled her eyes at Nuka's cowardliness while Jona herself simply chuckled, once again highly amused.
Watching this scene quietly still from their rock Pete then spoke quietly as he said, "well those guys sure are different ain't they?"
However once again Hari said nothing to Pete as she simply gazed on, this new lioness with the emerald earrings hanging on her ears... she sensed something... she knew this power!
Finishing her series of chuckles Jona's ears pricked... there was something in the air!Someone was here!
But distracting her suddenly the bout of fire that they'd all been waiting for finally ignited as it burned the twigs and lit them up with red hot flames! Seeing this pleased Vitani spoke up, "that's it!" Quickly then she took one of the twigs into her mouth and being careful she made sure not to burn her lips as she told Nuka and Jona, "now c'mon! Kiara has started her hunt! We have to move quickly!"
Watching her as she went to leave Jona replied to her coolly, "right on then... let's make a move!"With that she took one of the branch's that was left behind into her own mouth and made her way to move.
As she did this and left Nuka went to pick up his own branch but as he did curiosity came over him and as it did he looked over the edge to see what caused and made the fire they were to use. But suddenly in that moment a huge gush of fire emerged that singed and burned Nuka's face! As it burned him Nuka quickly jumped back and shouted out loudly in pain, "WWHHOOAA!"
Surprising Jona and Vitani they looked back and saw that the idiot had been stupid... again! His face was covered in soot and was charred making him even more unkempt then he was already, feeling the burns Nuka coughed out, "pah!"
All at once suddenly shocking all three of the lions there was a huge sound of laughter! There was then a sound of tumbling and a slight rumble as a big bulking black lion lay on the floor in complete hysterics!
Watching this creature as he laughed out loud there was then a voice that called out, "HA! HA! HA! Yer face! Yer face! It's! AH! HA! HA HA!"
Watching on baffled at this... creature? Everyone was silent for many moments before Jona asked aloud with sceptic eyes, "this guy is...?"
Nuka hearing this loud bout of laughter recovered from his initial shock and then he became angered as he dropped the branch from his mouth as he quickly approached this over weight lummox as he was now mad and demanded, "you think this is funny huh?"
Still laughing a little slightly trying to recover himself Pete looked to Nuka and saw his face was still in a total mess and once again he burst out with laughter again as he couldn't believe how stupid he looked and it was so hilariously bad that he couldn't even say another word!
Seeing him laugh away Jona said aloud rolling her eyes, "clearly!" For this guy somehow was being a bigger idiot than even Nuka was!
However becoming angrier and angrier Nuka revealed his claws as he then took his paw back ready to strike Pete in the face as he told him, "I'll teach you for laughing at me!" Opening his eyes then realizing finally where his stupidity had got him Pete looked on with shocked eyes, as he'd messed up badly!
But then suddenly something leaped forwards and came between the singed and outraged lion and the shocked enormous lummox! Scaring Nuka again he quickly backed off as there suddenly standing before them all was an exotic and unusual cheetah!
This again also surprised both lionesses as they gazed upon this creature and seeing her Vitani asked dropping the burning branch in her mouth, "a cheetah here?
Looking at her shocked himself Nuka asked, "what is this?! Who the heck are you!? What're you-"
Then he was halted in moments as the cheetah opened her eyes and revealed her cold emerald green eyes that stilled him in seconds... there was then silence for many moments before finally she spoke, "my apologies."
Taking Nuka aback and even Vitani and Jona who dropped her own branch he was silent before asking baffled,"huh?"
Hari lifting her head then spoke on calmly, "my apologies to you, noble Nuka... my accomplice could not control his humour and lost his composure, I do beg your forgiveness." Looking up at her as she apologised Pete was stunned! She hadn't totally changed after all!
However Nuka being given an apology was baffled for it was rare if he ever got such... subservience but then regarding his composure trying to be 'noble' he spoke, "my forgiveness?! After that humiliation why should I-"
Once again he was interrupted, "I and my accomplice can compensate you, we wish to make our services to be used by a suitable contractor... and looking upon you and your," with that Hari turned her cold eyes to Vitani and Jona as she regarded them for a moment she finished saying, "valiant pride...I feel that our abilities would facilitate you all tremendously,"
At this Nuka became confused for he didn't know what 'facilimradga' or whatever meant and as he puzzled quietly Vitani still next to her fellow lioness asked her quietly, "hey Jona what do ya think? Do you think she and that guy are legit?"
Hearing the question Jona regarded Pete and saw nothing too special about him as he continued to lay on the ground but looking to Hari quietly she felt a burning familiarity inside and as she looked into her cold green eyes... she felt it! Power... vast amounts! A brimming smile then decorated her features as she replied, "mmm... yeah, I reckon Zira will wanna say hello to this gal and guy!"
At these words Vitani was quiet but knowing Jona and her close relations to Zira she knew what and wouldn't please her and so she smiled as Jona walked on over. At that moment it was then Nuka finally managed to think, 'well uh yeah? Well whatever powers you think you can give us! I say you're-"
"Just perfect for us!" Jona pronounced as she stood now next to Nuka and looked at Hari with a keen grin on her face.
Shocking him Nuka spoke out, "Jona!"
Ignoring him Jona continued to stare at Hari and her blank expression and as she did she told her, "I'd say our mighty mother and leader Zira would most like you... why not come and visit us in our cozy little Out Lands?"
Nuka was further shocked! She was taking the initiative from him! However before he could say another word Hari bowed her head to her as she replied, "we would be most humbled... thank you."
Grinning at this as she said this Jona spoke again, "well okay then! Let's go and tell Zira about our new guests!"
However as she turned to leave Nuka complained to her as he said, "Jona are you mad! We have to sabotage Kiara's hunt! Do you know what mother will do to us if we-"
But Jona coolly with her exotic grace turned to him as she put a paw to Nuka's face and told him soothingly, "don't beat yourself up Nuka! I can handle yer old lady! Besides... I'm sure her paws will be sent straight to the sun and back when these new guys show us what they've got!" With that she then put her claws under Nuka's chin which she knew he liked to be tickled in and after a moment or two of doing this he was calm and completely docile as he started to purr away.
Seeing the desired effects done Jona asked him sweetly, "okay?"
Giggling a little at this pleased Nuka replied, "he! He! Okay..." with that he followed after her as she went to join Vitani.
Seeing what she had done calming the hostile situation so quickly Pete was once again impressed beyond all measure and as he looked to Hari he told her, "well done there Hari! That was totally expertly done! You really got them dolts to-"
However he noticed Hari was not even looking at him as she still had her back and tail turned to him and after a moment of silence she walked over to follow the small band of lions forwards leaving Pete look on with sad eyes. Why wouldn't she talk or look at him?
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Crouching on the ground her tail back Nozomi looked on fiercely as the antelope were only a few metre's in front of her...moving her shoulders back ready she was prepared! Taking a step forwards she spoke softly making it barely a whisper, "quietly..."
Then ready she was on her prey!
But suddenly, "charge lads!"
Cait sith blew her cover! Then at once all the antelope all yelped as they all started to flee, annoyed and flustered Nozomi launched herself forwards on her paws as she tried to catch up to them and steer them in the right direction!
Running fast and furiously as she did her best to shepherd the prey she heard in the background, "hey nice going!"
Looking annoyed Nozomi then saw who had spoke to her it was Riku in the distance and then quickly she replied to him, "it's not my fault!"
But quickly hopping forwards Mickey spoke up, "fella's this ain't no time for arguin' we gotta help Kiara!"
Hearing him as he was hopping away trying to steer the antelope too Nozomi called out, "right okay! Sorry your majesty!" With that Nozomi concentrated again hard as she tried to circle the antelope and keep them going in a certain direction!
Seeing that they were all approaching Kiara then was ready too! Without another thought she leaped forwards and headed straight to the antelope but then the long horned herbivores seeing what was going on figured out the predators plan and quickly once again they all darted in out and everywhere getting out of Kiara's reach!
After another moment or two of chasing trying to keep up to their pace Kiara quickly came to halt and saw that the plan had flopped, "darn! They got away again!"
Coming to a halt gasping for breath seeing they'd failed Nozomi spoke out, "oh not again!"
Falling onto his legs too Riku gasped in and out heavily as they'd now tried this routine at least five times now! It was getting them nowhere fast! So he spoke aloud, 'well it's clear this plan's not going to work!"
Mickey then spoke out himself clearly tired too as he put his long pointed feet up, "yeah... looks like it sadly."
However Kiara didn't want to admit defeat and spoke again, "come on guys don't give up! One more time! Just one more time and I'm sure we'll get somewhere!"
Seeing that she was so keen Riku still couldn't help but feel a bit discouraged as he replied to the lioness princess, "yeah... if someone learns to be quiet!" To which he turned his eyes to a certain someone on Nozomi's back.
Hearing him say this Nozomi too looked up annoyed and said, "yeah Cait sith!"
At these accusations and these angry eyes that looked at him the small black and white cat replied looking annoyed himself, "well excuse me for givin' you fella's a cheerin' battle cry!"
Nozomi then asked him, "Cait sith do you know the meaning of a sneak attack?"
At this he replied, "course I do lass! I just thought you lot were all just practisin'!"
Hearing this Nozomi shook her head and if she were human she would have put her hand to her face!
Kiara then said annoyed, "this isn't practise! We're doing this for real! And you Cait sith! Be silent in the next launch of attack!"
Hearing a telling off from another princess Cait sith shook his hands as he replied, "all right! All right! Lads and lasses! I get the message I won't be sayin' nothin' for the next bit!"
At this though Riku wanted to be certain as he asked him, "you promise?"
To which Cait sith replied by putting his gloved hands to his lips zipping them shut and then crossing his arms he nodded showing he was serious.
Seeing this Mickey replied feeling a little awkward, "uh well thanks Cait sith! Let's try again fella's!"
Nodding Riku got on his feet as he replied, "okay Mickey, okay!" With that he walked forwards and started to follow his majesty and Kiara forwards.
Nozomi getting back on her own feet with Cait sith still riding on her back wondered aloud, "I hope it goes better this time."
Then as she went to move she heard a shuffling sound from behind her, baffling her she turned around quickly and saw!... Nothing?
Unsure at this she spoke, "did something?-"
"Nozomi come on hurry up!" Riku called out to her impatiently.
Hearing him Nozomi quickly forgot the sound and replied, "all right! All right! I'm coming keep your fur on!" With that she ran forwards to catch up to the others.
However unbeknownst to Nozomi and the others the things that had made a stir behind her in the grass moved quickly and silently as they quickly both found a position to hide and settling down the leader spoke up from within an old worn out tree trunk, "tank 'o Charlie alpha! What's your position?"
It was the sneaky meerkat Timon and the so called Charlie was the slightly less bright warthog Pumba standing next to a few rocks he gave a reply as he said unsure trying to be precise as he could with his descriptions, "uh? Upright? Face turned slightly to the left! Tail erect!"
Annoyed seeing that he hadn't got it Timon asked, "why do I bother?" Then putting his hands over his eyes as though they were binoculars he looked around the landscape as he finally got his sights on his target! Proud he spoke up, "aha! There she is!"
Hearing him Pumba asked, "what Kiara?"
To which Timon replied, "of course you dolt! Who else do you think I-" then suddenly he saw something else! "Hold the phone!" He said then concentrating he looked closely and saw with startled eyes cubs and a mouse?!
Watching quietly as Kiara indicated to them with her head for them to sneak and attack again he asked, "where'd those fur balls all come from?"
Pumba curious asked, "fur balls?" Then looking himself he saw the cubs too as they quickly all hid in the high grass and as they did he asked, "oh Kiara's made some friends! Simba will be glad about that!"
However annoyed Timon told him, "friends? They're outsiders! I mean come on have you ever seen a white lion?! Or even a stripy one! And a jumping mouse? Those guys are all suspicious! We gotta get in closer!"
With that Timon started to proceed forwards again but as he did Pumba spoke up as he said, "aww well they don't look so bad to me?" With that he followed Timon into the grass to keep the surveillance up on Kiara.
Watching as her friends hid away in the grass Kiara had a good feeling about this one! This would be it! They'd be able to do it now! So getting into position she prepared herself but as she did she noticed a single pebble near her paw, stepping over it carefully making sure not to make any noise this time she passed over it, smiling she was being conscientious this time. However she was not careful enough as her foot kicked the stone and made the noise that once again made all the antelope go running!
Annoyed Nozomi cried out, "gggrrr! Not again!" Then quickly she started to chased after them again and as she did quickly the others did too.
On her back though Cait sith cried out, "hey that weren't my fault!"
Now running beside them Riku spoke himself, "yeah rather obvious!" With that all three cats and one mouse chased the antelope and as they all ran forwards suddenly in the distance they all heard two voices cry out in panic as the antelope all ran and jumped over them.
Hearing them Nozomi asked, "huh? Who's that there?!"
As they all approached getting closer and closer they heard one of the voices cry out, "this must be where the deer and the antelope play!"
Then coming to a halt everyone finally saw the two creatures who had cried out, one was a small meerkat with a bob of orange hair on his head and the other was a rich brown coloured wart hog, looking at them as they shivered Riku gazed at them as he asked, "who're these guys?"
At this question the two small animals looked up and then suddenly screamed, hearing them as they did this Cait sith's ears ached as he called out, "hey! Quit the racket will ya!"
It was also hurting Nozomi and Riku's ears but the king being civil as a king should tried to clam things down as he spoke to the small creatures,"fella's we're not here to hurt you! We're-"
"Timon? Pumba? What're you doing here?!" Kiara asked angrily.
At once both Meerkat and Warthog became silent in seconds as they were... busted!
Hearing their names Nozomi asked,"Timon and Pumba?"
Seeing their princess infuriated Timon tried to smooth things over as he said, "uh? Shopping! A nice pelt for the den! Some throw pillows! A little po puree!" To which Pumba simply nodded his head to and throw agreeing with whatever his friend said.
Riku asked sceptically, "po puree?" For where would you find stuff like that in the wild?
However Kiara was not deceived as she said, "my father sent you! After he promised to let me do this on my own! He lied!"
Hearing this it was clear this was bad and Nozomi asked, "lied Kiara what-"
But then Timon spoke trying to calm things down as he said, "no he just doesn't want to see you get hurt or mixed in with... the wrong people." He spoke as he then looked to the new guys.
At these words at once Nozomi and the others were annoyed as Cait sith voiced their thoughts and said, "hey! Who ya callin' wrong ya-"
However Kiara spoke on, "I should have known he'd never give me a real chance! We'll do this elsewhere away from the Pride lands! Come on everyone!"
As she said this and leaped forwards Nozomi called out, "hey Kiara wait up!" With that everyone quickly followed after her leaving Pumba and Timon in the dust as they watched on sadly.
Running into the grass Nozomi ran fast as she caught up to Kiara and as she did she quickly asked her, "Kiara who were those two guys and-"
With that she told her, "they're my father's close friends... and my babysitters!"
Hearing this Cait sith couldn't help but laugh out,"babysitters! Fer you!" To which Kiara looked to the small cat on Nozomi's back with annoyed eyes as he continued, "ya're way too old for that lass why would you need-"
At once the reply came, "because my father doesn't trust me!"
Hearing this Nozomi asked her, "doesn't trust you? But why? I mean all father's should trust their daughter's shouldn't they? Why would-"
Kiara slowed down a little letting Nozomi follow her at more of a walking speed as she became further saddened as she told her, "because my father's too paranoid... because of what happened to my grandfather Mufasa he thinks something horrible will happen to me unless he knows what I'm always doing all the time!... He just doesn't trust me to look after myself at all!"
At these words Nozomi didn't know how to reply...for she'd never known her father and her master... her master had left and trust her to look after herself for so many years, what advice could she possibly give?
But interrupting her thoughts Kiara said, "c'mon! Let's succeed in the hunt! With that she ran forwards and leaving a little distance between her and her new companions as she ran on into the grassy lands beyond the Pridelands Nozomi wondered to herself... was there anything she and the others do to help her new friend?
