Chapter CXXXIV: Divided, The Conflict Upon The Pridelands Part X
Watching from the high cliffs upon the rocky canyon, Jona Pete along with the still as ever silent Hari. They observed as events unfolded for the sprinting heartless evading keybladers.
The struggles that these heroes were suffering from were truly difficult, for they all could not stop at any point to rest, or more importantly to even think or plan. Leaving them very few options to use against these stampeding triceratops heartless! So watching them as they raced around another corner Jona spoke her thoughts, "well looks like those little guys are havin' it tough huh?"
Pete grinning ear from ear as he saw the difficulties the so-called heroes were dealing with replied, "ya're sure tootin'! This is more fun then watchin' hamsters runnin' in their wheels!"
Hearing this comment Jona thought it an odd comment to be made and so simply replied a small amused smile appearing, "that I can see."
At this Pete laughed loudly again, obviously having the time of his life and as the Outsider lioness saw this she looked to the cheetah Hari. Once again she showed no expression on her face as she simply gazed on at the events below. Jona seeing this herself was curious as to why this girl hadn't emoted anything at all? But at the same time she found this highly interesting too..."so then?"
Hearing this questioning tone the silent cheetah turned her head to the lioness as she asked her, "what do we do now? Just leave them doin' a ring around the rosy all day?" Then stopping for a moment a cunning grin decorated her features as she asked, "or have ya got somethin' else planned?"
Pete recovering from his laugh had heard what Jona said too and he then also looked to Hari to see what the plan really was?
Her gaze lingering upon Jona for a moment Hari looked down again at the intense chase as she answered her, "... we are laying the grounds of deception...so that the seeds of darkness may grow."
With this little riddle said both Jona and Pete raised their eyebrows, but after a moment Jona smirked as she replied, "oh I see..."
However Pete didn't, 'what the heck did she mean by that?' He wondered to himself.
But before he could think too deeply about what the answer might be suddenly Jona laughed as she said,"well I definitely think I picked the right crowd to hang out with here haven't I?"
Hari not paying any heed to her simply continued gazing as Pete replied, "what the heck do ya mean by that?"
Jona smirking as she now looked to the over weight black lion told him, "just like I said, you two are interesting... and if all goes well here... would you both be willin' to grant a little request of mine?"
Still saying nothing Hari ignored her as Pete asked, "a favour?"
The smile still on her face Jona spoke again, "well you see..."
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"Blizzaga!" Nozomi shouted as she swung her keyblade into the air, catching it immediately with her tail. Quickly a huge spell of ice emerged as it raced behind her and the others, in moments a huge thick wall of ice emerged sparkling in the sunlight.
Seeing what she'd done as he continued hopping forwards Mickey called out, "nice shot there Nozomi!"
Landing on the ground again as she started to dash forwards she smiled happily, "thanks!" Then quickly she asked loudly, "did it work?!"
But quickly in seconds there was a huge sound of glass smashing and an enormous ferocious bellow as the triceratops heartless all stampeded through the wall, absolutely undeterred!
Cait sith then broke the news, "heck no lass!"
Hearing this Nozomi was annoyed beyond all measure as she cried out, "oh darn it!" This had been the so manyeth time that she and the others had used a spell! Nothing was stopping these heartless at all!
Annoyed Nozomi then cried out, "what're we supposed to do!? How can we-"
"Lass look sharp at six o'clock!"
Nozomi then hearing him asked, "what?"
Cait sith then loudly spelled it out for her, "they're catchin' up to us ya daft banshee!"
Hearing this awful news Nozomi looked behind herself and sure enough the heartless weren't even a meter behind her and all her friends! Seeing this she cried out horribly panicked, "WWWHHHOOOAAA!"
Mickey hearing her as well as Riku did looked back too and they became horribly anxious!
The king called out, "oh no! This is really, really bad fella's!"
Riku now was just as horrified as he gritted his teeth hard "tch!" Then quickly looking forwards and seeing the corner coming up he looked down as he made a plan of action! Closing his eyes he suddenly changed direction running straight towards the heartless! Looking at them as he raced forwards he spoke out loudly, "let's do this!"
Seeing what he was doing as he ran past her and the king Nozomi cried out distressed, "Riku?! What're you doing!? Come back!"
But it was too late as he went straight towards the heartless! Looking at them the white lion cub could see their squiggly yellow alien like eyes were fixed straight on him! Seeing this he quickly stopped in his tracks and as he did he immediately summoned his keyblade and focusing himself in moments he leaped into the air as he shouted out loudly, "Aeroga!"
At once the hurricane spell escaped the end of his keyblade and in seconds it engulfed all the heartless! As it did a huge cloud of dust covered the monsters! As it did there was a sound of confusion amongst them and because of the suddenness of the spell they all started crashing into one another and as this started this one by one they all started toppling over and smashing into the corner that had come up!
Seeing what had happened as they both ran forwards barely making it through the corner everyone couldn't believe their eyes!
After a moment Cait sith cried out waving his gloved fist into the air, "whoo hoo! Now that's usin' yer noggin mate!"
Nozomi was wide eyed as Riku quickly came and caught up to them all. As he did he asked them, "everyone are you all right?"
Mickey seeing him called out full of relief, "Riku! Yeah we're fine! That was good plannin' there! Ya've given us a whole load more time to think of something!"
Nodding glad to see they were all right Riku smiled as he said, "thanks, well it was quickly but I-"
"That was reckless!"
Turning as he heard this Riku looked to Nozomi as she then told him again bitterly, "that was completely reckless! What would you have done if something had gone wrong!?"
Hearing this Riku repeated, "reckless?" At once he argued straight back as he told her, "as if you're one to talk!? If I hadn't done something we'd have been road kill! How can you-"
Nozomi then told him herself, "if something had gone wrong me and Mickey wouldn't have been able to do anything to help you! You idiot!"
Immediately angered again Riku was about to respond to her when-
"oh shut yer traps the both of ya!" Cait sith shouted out loud snapping both keybladers out of their tiff!
Everyone was stunned quiet as he had his arms folded sitting on Nozomi's back absolutely annoyed beyond all measure, but then quickly taking the advantage of this quiet moment Mickey spoke up in his diplomatic optimistic voice, "yeah, fella's I don't think it's time for arguin' here, the thing we gotta be focusin' on is how we're goin' to be gettin' rid of those heartless, okay?'
Looking to him Nozomi still felt annoyed but knowing that this wasn't the time for protesting she conceded as she replied, "okay... but what do we do though? Magic doesn't have much of a real effect on them and we can't just go charging into them without the risk of getting run over so-"
"I might have something," Riku spoke as he interrupted her summary.
"Have something?" Nozomi repeated puzzled.
Cait sith just as curious asked, "and just what might that somethin' be lad?"
With that Riku began to discuss his idea and what would be their next plan of attack!
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"How 'bout it?" Jona asked a smug smirk decorating her features as she finished, "do you say we got a deal here?"
There was silence between Pete and Hari for a few moments but then suddenly a loud laugh escaped the over sized lion's mouth and as it did the stoic cheetah said nothing as she simply gazed down quietly still.
After recovering Pete replied, "ah that's priceless!" As he wiped a tear from his eyes he told her further, "if that's all yer wantin' then sure why not? Right Hari?"
However once again she made no reply to him, which quickly removed the smile from his face in moments making him look at her sadly.
Jona on the other hand was smiling for she was glad to see that both of them had seemingly agreed to her request. So she walked on over to Hari as she asked her, "aww? You sure are shy aren't ya?
Hari sensing her sitting directly next to her looked at her with her cool green eyes and as she did Jona asked her further, "hey pretty eyes?"
At this comment Hari lingered with her gaze as she made her reply "what you wish for is not of our concern... however," with that she looked down again as she concluded, "you and I possess the same source of power... and we'll need you in the end."
Seeing that this was a definite agreement Jona was further pleased and then putting a paw across she placed it on Hari's shoulder as she told her smiling, "now that's what I like to hear!" Then looking at her with a keen mischievousness in her eyes she told her, "I'd say we're gonna be the best of friends! Two pea's in a pod huh?"
Pete seeing Jona being so overly friendly with Hari was quiet but then inside him he felt a surge of bitter annoyance rise within him, this made him grit his claws hard into the earth with his frustration.
Hari in the meantime completely incapable of sensing this rising of negativity looked at the battle below them all as Jona's paw continued to rest on her shoulder, she then spoke again, "it looks like events are about to proceed further forwards."
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Running together as the heartless were once again catching up to them, the plan had been finalised.
Making sure it was organised in their minds Riku then asked them all, "okay? So you guys know what to do right?"
At once there were nods from them all as Mickey confirmed verbally, "yep don't you worry there Riku!"
Cait sith in turn also made his reply as he gave the white lion cub the thumbs up, "yeah ditto on that lad! And if this darn old banshee dares mess up I'll pull her back into place!"
Hearing this comment Nozomi looked up as she said annoyed, "hey!" But then shaking her head she knew this wasn't the time for this and so looking back behind them as she heard another bellow from the heartless, she knew it was time to get started so she spoke becoming fiercely focused, "let's get this plan started!"
With that she and the others quickly dropped back, slowing their speed down as they all let the heartless all catch up to them fast. As they all did this they felt the trembling and rumbling of the ground beneath their paws revealing the weight and power of these ferocious monsters!
Then looking back and seeing the distance between them and their foes Riku looked ahead and saw another upcoming corner! At once he called out, "come on!"
Hearing this call Nozomi and Mickey immediately ran forwards, then suddenly as they rode the corner's rounded edge they jumped up together and quickly aiming at it as they passed it they had their keyblades ready in their tails as at once they both called out, "double cast Blizzaga!"
At once the two icy spells escaped their blades and as they did, quickly the two of them merged together becoming one huge powerful spell as it raced forwards and smashed into the corner's edge.
As this occurred the icy spell spiralled out like a huge wave and then as it did it curved around into the air almost making something like a slide, as it quickly settled it glistened and shone in the warm sunlight making it a dazzling spectacle.
As Nozomi and Mickey both landed on the ground taking off again at full speed the tiger cub yelled out, "Riku go for it!"
Hearing this in moments as he pelted forwards, Riku shouted his reply, "okay!" Then as the triceratops heartless were almost upon him, he ran up the corner and using his fast agility he quickly leaped onto the icy slide as it instantly carried him over all the heartless!
Seeing him succeed with the first part of the plan Cait sith cried out energetically, "he's up and slidin'! Way to go mates!"
Hearing him cheer for them Mickey laughed, "oh it's no big deal Cait sith! Let's just hope Riku's idea works!"
Nodding herself seriously Nozomi replied, "yeah let's!" She then recounted in her mind what the idea was.
Riku then told them all as they continued to run on, "when I was in the air I noticed the backs of them seemed to be less protected then their fronts! If one of us can make it to the back of that stampeding line we might be able to hit them where it hurts!"
As Mickey heard this he responded amazed, "well that definitely sounds worth a shot! So who'll be the one to get in the back?"
Nozomi was quiet as she wasn't certain about this idea... and-
"Well since he's thought of it why not let old snow drop do it?" Cait sith then spoke up casually.
At this Nozomi asked, "why?What? Riku? He can-"
However Mickey quickly chipped in as he concurred, "yeah that sounds good to me! Besides out of all of us here, he's the one with the most physical strength! If anyone can make a dent in their weak spot it's him!"
Riku hearing the praise from his majesty almost felt bashful as he replied, "oh well thanks your majesty!"
Nozomi however was quiet again... for though it was a sound plan and everything... something nagged at her from within.
Then finishing her recount she then remembered the thoughts she'd had at that time, 'I hope this idea just works!' Finishing she looked behind herself as the last of her worried thoughts came, 'be careful Riku!'
At that moment finally the white lion cub arrived on the other side of the heartless as he leaped from the Blizzaga ice bridge and launched himself forwards! Now he was the one chasing these monsters!
Looking at them as he ran forwards he saw indeed that they looked much weaker than their fronts. There wasn't any spikes on their backs except for a small few on their tails, it was now or never!
Quickly summoning 'The Way To Dawn,' he shouted out loudly as he launched himself into the air, "Firaga!" At once the explosive volcanic fire spell escaped his keyblade and as it did it collided straight into the heartless!
All of them bellowed in agony from the spell as they all tossed and turned desperate to put out the fire that was spreading amongst them all!
Seeing what he'd done Cait sith cried out joyfully, "look at that! Snow drops getting' them all fired and crispy! Looks like this'll be over in a snap!"
Glad that he'd succeeded Riku grinned with pure battle satisfaction and as he did he decided on the next part of his plan! Quickly taking his keyblade he shouted out loud, "shadow raid!" At once his keyblade shot forwards in a powerful boomerang arc!
In moments it struck into the heartless filled with the strength of his keyblade and his own power, looking he watched his keyblade strike into them al, it was cracking their once impenetrable hides! He waited to see them smash apart into smithereens!
But suddenly all at once there was a horrible angry bellow as the heartless all quickly all stopped in their tracks!
Hearing this enraged cry all of the keybladers stopped in their tracks! Stopping and turning as they heard and felt these creatures halt, Riku had caught his returning keyblade in his mouth. They watched as the heartless all started to glow with a menacing dark aura with the red magical flames if the 'Firaga' spell dissipating in moments!
Looking at this as it occurred Cait sith on his striped steed called out, "oi! What's that there! Just what in the heck are-"
At once there was a huge bellow again from all the beasts as the mists of darkness quickly morphed and changed them all into a menacing dark purple colour! Even their squiggly yellow eyes had now all turned into an enraged red as they burned horribly as their front tusks had branched out and became even more sharpened than they already were!
Horrified at this transformation Nozomi asked out loud, "what's happening!? What-"
At once suddenly the heartless all quickly changed their positions as three of them aimed at the tiger and kangaroo mouse, while the other three aimed straight at the small lion cub that had injured them!
Everyone wide eyed at this action all said nothing! But Mickey looking on quickly noticed something! He became alarmed in moments, "fella's run!"
Baffled Nozomi started to ask, "huh what? Why-"
Becoming agitated Mickey cried out again, "I said run! Riku you move too!"
At once quickly hearing the king as he started to run with Nozomi he too quickly started sprinting away from the ominous heartless.
Immediately as this occurred there was another huge bellow from the monsters as quickly the one stampeding herd parted and now became two as they all started to chase down their prey!
Seeing them coming as they'd even become faster now, Nozomi couldn't believe it! Then suddenly all at once projectiles started to be fired loudly at them! Quickly dodging in out alarmed Nozomi called out, "hey! Whoa! Agh!" Then looking at these projectiles as they spiked into the ground and the king sped past her she saw that the trunked horns from these triceratops were being fired at them like bullets from a gun!
Each time one was fired one just grew back in seconds showing there was going to be no end to this barrage!
Annoyed beyond all measure that they were all being fired at Cait sith shouted out, "oh darn it! This ain't fair!" With that the mouse and tiger turned yet another corner as they continued racing forwards.
Riku himself was also suffering badly as the heartless chasing him were also firing at him too! This had turned out more badly than he could have possibly imagined! Then as he ran forwards desperate to keep a safe distance between himself and the monsters he looked ahead as he turned yet another corner. He saw with alarm Nozomi, Cait sith and Mickey coming straight in his direction with their heartless chasing them! In moments with horrified realisation he knew what was going on! This was turning into a bear trap!
Dodging yet another tusk missile Nozomi looked back for a moment annoyed and then turning she quickly too saw Riku and his heartless chasing him!
She became horrified! They were all going to smash into each other!
Cait sith then cried out, "oh blast it! We're all gonna get pummelled! Someone do somethin' quick!"
Mickey hearing this agitated outcry was anxious himself! What could they do!? They couldn't jump out of the way! There was nowhere to climb! Their spells had had no impact on the front of them! And they couldn't fight them head on without being literally run over! There was no way out!
As they all raced forwards the collision becoming more imminent by the second there was no-one amongst the whole group who wasn't terrified! As they came closer and closer to each other Nozomi clenched her eyes shut as she whispered desperately in her mind, 'Master!'
Then suddenly all at once from the heights above a shape leaped down! And as the heroes all started to cross each other the heartless were now mere meters from all their targets! Immediately though something all landed amongst the chaos!
Crashing into this figure just as the others suddenly did Nozomi was thrown backwards! Landing painfully on her back she cried out, "agh! What the-"
All at once there was suddenly a rumbling in the ground as the figure glowed with an immense power and energy as it dugs its sharp claws into the dusty ground. With that an almighty roar resounded!
Looking at this figure as this cry came about Nozomi, Riku and Mickey looked shocked at who this being was! Nozomi whispered out,"you're-"
However not heeding her words immediately the figure's energy focused in moments as their energy radiated into an immense orange light! Then looking at the approaching heartless, the figure grinned immensely as it said cockingly, "when you're in a jam? Who do ya call?"
Then before a reply could be made in seconds the figure threw its head back as at once two huge powerful waves of orange light escaped from them and quickly entered the ground surrounding them! As these orange rays entered the earth they created huge spikes of raised stones everywhere that race forwards to either side of them! With that two huge quaking spiked stoned lines smashed right through the two groups of stampeding heartless!
They were all knocked apart and thrown left and right like a bunch of bowling pins! Seeing this immense scene Nozomi couldn't believe the tide of change that had occurred as she cried out, "Jona!"
To which the confident lioness looked to the little cub with a smirk as she told her, "there you got it!"
Nozomi couldn't believe it! That energy! It was just like-
However there was no time for her to think as the heartless were all quickly beginning to get on their feet again and seeing this Jona turned to the keybladers as she told them all, "well you guys better get off yer keysters and finish the job!"
Riku looking at her couldn't believe she'd found them all! And doing this to the heartless!? How could she? But as he gazed at her with that smile she had on her face... he felt a darkness... a terrible darkness...
Looking at the heartless as they all started to get up again Mickey knew this to be true in moments and quickly he reinstated this as he told everyone, "she's right fella's come on!"
Immediately at once knocking Riku out of his thoughts both cubs though still a little shocked and shaken at this huge show of power all knew time was of the essence! Quickly they both nodded as they responded to the king at the same time, "right!"
Then running to him all three keybladers all climbed the surrounding stones around them that allowed them to reach into the air!
As each of them looked at each other Cait sith called out, "all right lads! Time to give all these large creeps a heavy dose of magical medicine!"
Looking to each other all the keybladers nodded and smiled to each other as Riku replied to him, "right you are Cait sith!"
Then quickly all three keybladers came together and immediately drawing their keyblades all of them aimed their weapons at the heartless as Nozomi then told them, "all together guys!"
At once each of their keyblades glowed brightly as all of them called out their spells!
Nozomi shouted out loudly, "Blizzaga!"
Then Riku shouted, "Thundaga!"
Finally Mickey made his cry, "Firaga!"
At once all three spells spun around shooting out left and right as they all came down smashing into all of their targets, burning, electrocuting and freezing all their enemies in moments!
As their painful bellows all filled the air and seeing that their enemies were now all on their last legs they. Quickly the keybladers landed on the ground as they all spread about and started smashing into all the heartless as their finishing technique was shouted loudly and clearly into the air, "TRINITY SLASH!"
Immediately as this attack was shouted out and the heartless were all cut through in seconds, they all collapsed into a cloud of dark spores as they all quickly faded and drifted away into the air!
Landing on the ground amongst the fading spores they all saw victory was theirs! Everyone was quiet for a few moments as it sunk in and suddenly as it did Nozomi breathed out, "we did it..." Then it really sunk in, "WE DID IT!"
Quickly hopping over happily Mickey smiled brightly as he said, "we did great there fella's! That was really a close call!"
Cait sith nodded as he replied in turn as Nozomi continued to dance around happily, "ya got that right there mouse cheeks mate! Though I'll have to tell ya lot I was startin' to sweat a bit back there!"
Mickey nodded as he smiled admitting, "yeah I know! Even I was startin' to feel a real sense of doom back there! But I mean we're really lucky aren't we? Hey Riku?" He asked as he turned to look at his other victorious companion.
Riku was happy that they'd all won as he replied, "yeah we were lucky," then turning to a certain person's direction he finished with a serious tone, "very lucky!" As his gaze fell upon the smug lioness Jona.
Hearing this tone as he looked at her Jona simply smiled as she replied, "indeed you were, if I hadn't spied you all in your little predicament, who knows how you all might have ended?"
With this said Riku was suspicious immediately, but before he could make a reply Nozomi walked over as she said happily, "yeah! Thanks for saving us there Jona!"
At this little bout of praise Jona nodded to her excited little shape as she replied, "no troubs there! Besides lookin' after the pupils is a teacher's job right?"
Nozomi nodded but as she did another thought occurred to her as she looked at Jona's face, that power she'd used! It was just like the power Terra had used in her dream! How could she do the same thing? But before she could ask another question Riku instead asked his,"and just where were you before all this happened... teacher?" He finished with rather accusing tone.
As he said this Mickey wondered why Riku was speaking like this, as did Nozomi. But Jona on the other hand was not unnerved in the slightest as she replied, "aww I thought I'd already told you! I was havin' a lovely little nap in the plains and then I decided to come lookin' for y'all! And well here we are now!"
At this reply feeling it was a little too convenient of an explanation, Riku didn't quite believe her and so he asked his next question, "all right then... and why didn't you finish off the heartless yourself when you had the chance?"
Listening on quietly as Riku went on Nozomi couldn't understand why he was being like this? However Jona still as calm as ice as she replied finding this rather humorous, "what fun would that be? Besides you guys wanna be high class hunters don't ya? And the only way yer all goin' to learn is through experience... and you certainly learned there didn't ya? Besides I didn't wanna steal your coup de grace there!"
Riku was quiet again... it felt too set up! How could this all just happen by-
"Riku!"
Snapping him out of his thoughts Nozomi looked at him annoyed as she told him, "please don't talk like this! Jona helped to save us! If she hadn't we wouldn't be talking right now! Jona hasn't-"
Her naivety though was not going to be tolerated by him and Riku told her, "don't be gullible!"
Nozomi became quiet again as she flinched from his harsh tone as he went on, "the exits being blocked? Hari emerging? Then Jona just happening to come to our rescue? Don't you think that sounds a bit too unrealistic?"
Jona hearing this name, asked feigning an air of ignorance, "Hari? Who's that? Someone I should know?"
Nozomi hearing this had to admit that this did seem all a little too good to be true "... well I guess! But I..." as she spoke up she walked in front of Jona defensively and said further, "... Jona saved us! Please! Don't prosecute her like this! She's our friend! I'm sure she wouldn't do anything like that!"
As she said this it was to be expected but as Jona looked at her, she felt a jolt in her heart as she had a flash of the past as she imagined another individual who'd defended her like this so long ago. She remembered him and his words, 'she saved us! And she's a part of this crew! Don't prosecute her! I know for sure she's always got us all at heart!"
Then as though reading the past image she had in her mind Nozomi and he both asked her simultaneously with a smile, "right?"
Jona for a moment was taken aback... but quickly she recovered herself as she smiled now more softly as she replied, "well sure... of course I do, otherwise why would I have bothered to save you?"
At this little act of defence Riku said nothing as he still didn't trust Jona but then before he could make another reply, Nozomi smiled a little more as she said, "yeah! Besides! We gotta go and get Kiara, Kovu, Timon and Pumba now right? We can't leave them hanging like this! Let's save this kinda talk for later okay?"
Mickey who'd been quiet all this time had to admit inside he felt an uneasiness about what had happened but for the moment he agreed with Nozomi as he replied, "yeah, okay! You're right there Nozomi! Let's all get everybody for now and talk about this all later!"
Hearing the king's words, Riku wasn't happy but seeing he was outnumbered by three to one (maybe two with Cait sith if he was on his side) he relinquished as he replied, "fine then!"
With that Mickey nodded as he told them all, "okay then fella's lets go and get the others!" With that he hopped off first.
Nozomi in front of Jona still watched as Mickey went by but as Riku went past her he looked to the earring wearing lioness and back to her as he told her annoyed, "you're too nice for your own good!"
Hearing him say this Nozomi looked at him annoyed as he ran off, she quickly cried out annoyed, "hey I'm not like that I-"
However Cait sith told her, "ya are lass!"
Baffled at this statement Nozomi asked, "huh?"
Cait sith then told her again, "ya are too nice... ya're gonna get walked all over one day!"
Really annoyed now Nozomi replied, "so you think!" Then looking back she said, "c'mon on Jona! Let's go before-" then suddenly Nozomi sneezed loudly, "achooo!"
As she did this Jona asked concerned, "aww, what's wrong honey? You catchin' a cold?"
Rubbing her nose Nozomi shook her head as she replied a little embarrassed, "nah! It's just dusty in the air! C'mon let's go!" With that she ran after Riku and Mickey.
As Jona looked after her she was quiet... then her smile becoming a little softer again she asked, "too nice huh?" With that she quickly ran after them herself as she went to fetch the princess, outsider and their other friends.
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Meanwhile stuck in their little squidged up crack of a shelter, Kovu, Kiara and the others had been quiet, but now the heartless hadn't made another round past and seeing this it was then they all began to relax.
Kovu spoke up his relief as he said, "well looks like those guys might have actually won!"
Kiara nodded, "yeah... it feels like it! I can't feel a rumble in the ground anymore!"
Timon then replied himself, "yeah! I don't feel nothin' either! Though I'm sure I felt a blast of some kind earlier?"
Hearing this comment Pumba quickly apologized, "oh sorry!"
There was quietness for a moment before everyone laughed out loud, Timon then looking to Kovu told him, "you know what kid! Yer okay! Yer A-okay!" For he'd learned this guy wasn't as bad as what he'd first thought!
Kovu hearing this statement himself was pleased yet a little bashful inside as he replied, "yeah well so are you guys! But do you think you can make some room now?"
Hearing this Timon replied, "oh yeah sure! Sure! Let's get outa this crack!"
With that as Pumba felt his friend pat his side telling him gently to move. Quickly he went to do just that! However they'd been stuck in there rather a bit too snuggly and now this was a really tough job to do!
As Kovu pushed him trying to get the fat warthog out of the hole along with Kiara who was getting more and more uncomfortable. Timon was busy navigating as he cheered everyone on, "that's it! That's it! That's it!"
However as the lot of them kept moving and moving, the closer and closer Kiara and Kovu were getting to each other and as they turned suddenly! Their noses touched and their lips had! Both of them gasped as they felt this! Looking at each other with widened eyes quickly they both became awkward with embarrassment. As it settled in it was hard to know where to look.
Suddenly though outside they both heard a loud cry, "hey look it's Timon and Pumba!"
It was Nozomi! She and the others had made it to them!
Unaware of what had transpired between the two of them Pumba called out, "hey look it's Nozomi! How are ya guys?"
At once smiling to the warthog Cait sith remarked to him, "just great Pumba mate! Finally got rid of 'em heartless! Let me tell ya them lot were a real pain in the rear!"
Timon then replied, "tell us about it! We could feel it every time you guys went by us!"
Mickey hearing this then replied, "oh yeah well sorry about that fella's! We didn't mean to keep ya all waitin' like that!"
Nozomi in turn nodded but then asked quickly, "but you guys are all okay though right?"
To which Timon replied, "oh yeah! Yeah real fine! No probs in that little shelter you found for us right Kiara?" There was silence as there was no reply, "Kiara?" Timon asked again.
With that everyone looked into the crack and saw both Kiara and Kovu against each other awkwardly, as everyone saw them like this Riku asked, "are you two okay?"
At this question immediately Kovu answered, "oh yeah! Sure! Sure we're fine!" With that quickly he began to make his way out of the crack and as he did Kiara went after him. After a few moments finally the both of them were free.
Looking at the two of them quietly there seemed to be something... different?
But Kiara seeing everyone looking at them quickly tried to dispel this awkward atmosphere as she said almost laughing, "well it's a huge relief to be out of that hole now! It was so tight!"
Nozomi hearing this became concerned as she walked over and asked, "you're not hurt are you Kiara?"
Hearing the concerned tone of her voice Kiara smiled as she reassured her, "oh no! Don't worry Nozomi I'm fine! But what about you guys are you all right?"
Nozomi nodded brightly as Cait sith then spoke for her, "yep we're right as rain lass! Finally got rid of all them heartless! And we managed to get out alive thanks to Jona here!"
Hearing her name at once Kovu uttered quietly, "Jona?"
To which the proud lioness bowed with a paw to her chest appearing to be noble as she said, "always ready and at your service!"
Seeing that she was okay, Kiara smiled as she said, "that's good! Thanks a lot for saving us here!"
To which Jona shook her head smiling still as she then replied, "oh no trouble! But
anyway? Why don't we all get back to our huntin' practise huh? You guys have got a long way to go still!"
At this announcement immediately Kiara perked up as she said, "oh yeah! Let's do that! Okay guys?" She asked as she turned to Nozomi and the others.
Hearing this Nozomi nodded as she replied, "yeah sure! Let's do that!"
Riku however sighed, "first we're being hunted by heartless and now we're back to hunting again!"
Cait sith though hearing him told him, "oh don't be such a whinger lad! Besides ya lot have got a long way ta go before yer near to be bein' able to fight in these shapes!"
To which Riku retorted to him, "don't remind me!"
At this point it was then that Mickey decided to intervene as he told them both, "oh fella's this ain't the time for that! Let's go and find our way out of here!"
Nodding at this Nozomi responded, "yeah! Let's do that your majesty! C'mon everyone!" With that Nozomi ran forwards and as she did quickly Timon and Pumba ran after her.
Smiling softly Mickey chased after her too and as he did Riku retorted, "has she already forgotten about Hari... and a certain someone?" He asked as he lay his gaze on Jona for a moment.
However the earring wearing lioness simply smiled away again as she said,"better make a move on honey!"Hearing that with an annoyed look on his face, Riku went to catch up to his friends.
Kiara seeing them go looked to the handsome Outsider lion again quietly for a moment as she asked him, "Kovu are you coming?"
To which he replied, "yeah sure...in a second."
The lioness princess smiled at this as she went to catch up to her friends, as she left though Kovu walked passed Jona as he asked her, "that was a set up back there wasn't it?"
Jona smiling away told him slyly, "and why should you care?"
Kovu then told her, "I could have died in that attack! And the others too! How could you put them all in jeopardy! Have you-"
Jona's eyes became hardened again in moments as she told him, "putting them in jeopardy? I think you're forgetting something aren't you?"
Kovu paused and then he became shocked as Jona told him further, "we're not here to be buddy buddy here you know? Wasn't the aim of this mission here revenge... or are you forgettin' which side you're on?"
His eyes widening at this revelation Kovu looked down to the ground, why was he changing so much like this now? And in such a short amount of time? Why? What should he do? What could he do? Then in his heart an image of Kiara appeared... what was this feeling?
As Jona saw him internally struggling inside she then told him with a rare solemn cold gaze, "I would advise you to make up your mind... doubt makes you weak."
Suddenly in the distance came a shout from Timon, "hey are you guys comin' or not!"
Immediately another cry came from Cait sith, "yeah c'mon ya slow pokes! Let's get trottin!"
Jona looking in the distance and seeing the others recovered her usual smug exterior as she told her partner in crime, "well you heard the guys... let's move on!" With that the two faced lioness walked forwards as Kovu slowly trailed after her.
For though he didn't trust her, he knew she was right... he had to make a choice... but as this morale dilemma raged inside him he wondered though... which was the right side now?
