Chapter CXXXVII: Divided, The Conflict Upon The Pridelands Part XIII

Within the darkness of the night and the merciless dessert grounds of the Out Lands, devastating news was delivered by the messenger with emerald earrings as she relayed her information to her leader.

Roaring completely outraged Zira turned to her adopted daughter lioness again as she demanded from her, "you're sure!"

In seconds Jona answered her, "yes... Kovu has changed... I'm sure he is no longer in league with us."

The surrounding Out Lander pride lions were totally shocked as well, there were sounds of uneasy growls and gasps, Vitani herself couldn't believe it at all! "It can't be! Kovu wouldn't... there's no way he'd betray us!"

However her true blooded brother, Nuka was a little surprised but not at all shocked as he replied with an arrogant smile, "well I guess it's like they say... never judge a zebra by it's stripes!"

Hari and Pete in the meantime had both been completely quiet during this entire revelation, in this time the black overweight lion wondered to himself about how they were going to proceed now? If Kovu was no longer on their side, how were they going to take down Simba and his pride? As these thoughts raced inside him he looked down to Hari and as he saw her cold eyes continuing to gaze on he wondered if she had something already planned?

Zira still enraged growled as she spoke looking into the darkened distance, "Kovu cannot betray us!"

Jona though replied casually, "well it's a bit too late to say that now!"

At these callous words Zira turned around and was about to berate her when Hari walked across her path and standing next to Jona she spoke in her cool logical tone, "indeed... that lion's strength alone is now no longer needed."

Zira was struck by silence at these words, they also confused the other lions present and Vitani voiced their thoughts as she asked her, "what do you mean by that?"

Sensing what was about to occur Jona moved out of Hari's range as she told all who were there with a chilling intensity, "allow me to show you..."

Watching from a safe distance with Jona now beside him, Pete watched as Hari opened up her enormous metallic wings from her backs and as she did something dark quickly began to shine over all the lions, looking at it as this darkness spread over all their bodies he whispered with widened eyes, "this is...?!"

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It was now early in the morning as the sun was just dawning over the rich vibrant green Pride Lands and observing this stunning scenery was one lone lion, Kovu.

Looking at this glorious sight he sighed... he couldn't hide it anymore as he spoke aloud to himself, "okay... I have to tell them all today!" Then he quickly tried out the words he thought would work best to explain everything, however this was easier to think then to be said "oh where do I start!?"

Quiet he tried once again to speak, "Kiara... guys? Zira had a plot, me and Jona were a part of it! But I don't want to be part of it anymore because I!..." then he trailed off again, would this even sound believable for a reason? "because I... you've all become my friends now! And I... I've fallen in love with you Kiara..."

After another moment of silence though it sounded to him completely unbelievable! Shaking his head he spoke aloud again, "oh they'll never believe me!"

"Why wouldn't they?" Hearing this voice it shocked Kovu as he breathed in sharply but turning he quickly calmed down as he saw that it was just his trainee white coloured lion cub Riku who was looking up to him with a relaxed smile.

Sighing he smiled himself as he said, "you scared me there!"

Laughing Riku then replied, "sorry! But if I managed to sneak up on you this easily then I guess I'm a hunter already huh?"

Smirking at this comment Kovu then replied, "I wouldn't go that far!" But quickly again he became quiet... after a moment he asked Riku seriously, "do you really think what I'll say will go down well with everyone?"

Riku hearing the worry in his voice could understand his anxiety and so he reassured him, "Kovu... believe in them! I didn't reject you did I? The others won't I'm sure! I'll be by your side as you tell them, okay?"

Quiet in moments Kovu felt more of his tension leave him and as he did he replied, "all right, thanks Riku..." then turning around he looked to the entrance to the sleeping cavern where the others were just beginning to move and get up too. Seeing them all he still felt a little nervous but now it was the time to confess and so he spoke, "okay... let's do this!" Riku simply nodded his head as he then followed Kovu as he went to talk to his friends and princess.

Beginning to exit the cave herself Nozomi arched her back as she stretched forwards, then shaking her head a little she finally yawned loudly as she said, "wow!... That was a good sleep!"

Hearing her as she said this Mickey hopped over as he told her, " it sure was! Sleeping in doors at night is always better!"

Smiling glad to see the king was happy Nozomi replied to him, "yeah you're right!" Then all of a sudden something tickled her nose as she sneezed, "Achoo!"

Running over in moments Cait sith jumped and landed himself quickly upon Nozomi's back again as he asked her, "oi lass what's up with ya? Are ya catchin' a cold or somethin'?"

Rubbing her nose Nozomi shook her head as she told him,"no! I don't know... maybe it's something in the air or something? I haven't got a clue!"

At this answer Cait sith just shrugged his shoulders while Mickey simply smiled away, then from behind them a familiar voice spoke up, "good morning everyone!"

Turning the keybladers saw Kiara and as they did Nozomi quickly forgot about her sneeze as she responded brightly, "morning Kiara!"

Cait sith then spoke himself as he put his gloved paw up in a wave, "morning to ya lass! Ya sleep well?"

Laughing at this gesture Kiara replied, "yes I did! Did all of you too?'

Mickey then told her, "yep we did in there Kiara! I can see why all yer Pride like to rest in there! It's real cozy!"

Kiara glad to hear this was about to say something more when-

"Kiara! Guys!"

Turning then everyone looked to see Kovu and Riku quickly approaching them all, as Cait sith spied them both he spoke up, "ah so that's where that snow drop drifted off to!"

Nozomi was quiet though as was the king for as they looked to Kovu's face there seemed to be an urgency there of some kind? However Kiara didn't notice it as she walked over quickly and spoke delighted, "Kovu!"

However before any morning greetings could come from her mouth the Out Lander lion spoke instead, "listen I need to talk to all of you!"

Everyone was quiet at this but Nozomi asked puzzled, "about what? What do you need to talk to us about? Is there something wrong?"

Kovu then was about to say something more when suddenly, "Kiara! Friends of Sora!"

Surprising everyone in moments they all turned around as Simba the king of the Pride Lands walked over, as he did he had a serious gaze upon his face... looking at him Mickey asked with a nervous uncertainty, "Simba?"

The king of the Pride Lands then told them all, "I don't want any of you talking to him!"

Hearing this Nozomi couldn't believe it as she asked feeling outrage begin to burn inside her, "what?!"

Cait sith as well felt angered as he began to rant, "what do ya mean by that! He's a mate of ours! Ya can't-"

"I want to talk with him," Simba told them all with a calm regal smile.

Quiet for a moment everyone was stunned quiet and Nozomi was almost beginning to feel embarrassed for getting mad, even Cait sith was feeling the same as he then said, "oh... okay?"

Kiara immediately lost her look of worry too as she smiled and looked to her father, she was immensely glad that he was trusting Kovu enough to speak to him alone now, Simba seeing the relief on his daughter's face winked to her as he continued to smile away. Looking to Kovu as he smiled he asked him, "is that okay with you?"

Kovu was quiet but after a moment he nodded now even more nervous as he replied, "yeah... sure."

Simba hearing this nodded himself but then he looked around and saw there was a certain someone not present with everyone else, looking back to Kovu again he asked him, "where's your companion, Jona?"

At this question Kovu was quiet but in moments he remembered her and as he did he looked around highly alerted and noticed she wasn't there too! Where could she have gone to? Confused he replied, "I don't know... I haven't seen her since-"

"Oh I know where she went!" Nozomi spoke up brightly.

Turning to the little tiger cub Simba asked her, "oh you do?"

Nozomi nodded as she told them, "yeah! She said she was going to do a little late midnight hunting! I guess she's fallen asleep in the fields!"

Hearing her finish with a little laugh Kovu was quiet... for with her he highly doubted that it was just anything as simple as that but Simba not seeing this as a sign for alarm told her, "I see... well then I guess we'll have to discuss these matters just between ourselves, all right Kovu?"

At this proposition Kovu quiet for a moment again and then finally replied, "sure... yeah that's all right."

With that confirmed and agreed to both lions began to leave the caverns of the cave to go into the Pride Lands but then another voice spoke up, "let me go with you!"

Turning both Kovu and Simba looked to see who it was who had spoken and they both saw it was Riku who had said it with a fierce determined look in his eyes.

Everyone was quiet but then Nozomi asked, "Riku you want to-?"

The white lion cub spoke again, "I'll be there in Jona's stead and when she returns I'll relay what we've talked about, is that all right with you your highness?"

Simba hearing this was quiet, for it would be more than enough with just Kovu but as he saw the determination within Riku's eyes he could feel his strong resolve in them and so feeling he should respect it and also knowing that he was Sora's friend he told him smiling a little more, "sure all right then... if you wish."

Nodding at this Riku was glad as was Kovu deep inside, however Nozomi, Mickey and Cait sith didn't get why he had to go alone with them. The king voiced their thoughts as he asked, "Riku don't ya wanna us to go with you too?"

Cait sith then chipped in, "yeah snow drop lad! Why're ya keepin' us out of the ring here? We-"

Riku then told them, "it has to be me... Kovu and I... we both," he was struggling to find the words inside himself now too.

Nozomi feeling this was odd asked him, "you what?"

Seeing her looking at him Riku was quiet again... but then remembering some past events where she'd stood up for friends, he told her and the others, "we made a promise! I told him I'll be by his side when he needs me... so that's why I'm going."

Quiet as they all heard this no one said anything, the king though he didn't know what promise he'd made with Kovu or what secrets the two were keeping understood his feelings and so he told him, "okay Riku, if you're sure that's what ya gotta do, then ya gotta do it."

Nodding glad that he'd got the king's consent he looked to Nozomi and Cait sith who were both quiet, after a moment the Scottish accented cat spoke, "well I don't like bein' left out but a promise is a promise, so... ya gotta keep it huh?"

Riku nodded again as he replied, "yeah I do," then looking to Nozomi she had her head down, he did feel bad that he was concealing something from her again but until Kovu said something he had to keep his word. So turning he went to follow Kovu and Simba out into the Pride Lands.

"Riku!" Stopping them all again after they'd made slight distance down the Pride Rock he turned around and saw Nozomi looking to him, quiet he then heard her again as she said, "be careful out there! Okay?"

Hearing the concern in her voice the white lion cub smiled as he bowed his head to her and quickly with that the three of them ran down to the bottom of the rock and headed into the distance of the land to begin their discussion.

Cait sith quiet as they went asked her as he patted her sides, "why did ya say be careful there lass? That was a bit weird ain't it? They're only goin' off ta chat."

Nozomi hearing this question then told him, "I dunno... I just felt I had to say it before he went...it's just something...I can't describe it," for inside her heart the Tiger cub didn't know why but there was a sense of unease rising within.

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Walking on with Simba and Kovu, Riku had been quiet as he listened on from a slight distance behind them both. The sun was now shining high from the sky above them as it lit up the warm and beautiful green lands of the Pride Lands. Together they were all travelling to the devastated lands that had been burned and incinerated by the heartless only some days ago when Riku and the others had all first arrived.

As they entered the soot ridden lands Riku could smell the strong scent of sulphur and it made him want to cough. He wondered why the king of the Pride Lands was guiding them here? Looking on he listened as Simba continued to describe the events of the past to Kovu, "Scar couldn't let go of his hate, then in the end it destroyed him."

Kovu quiet as Simba continued to explain, he'd never been told this by his mother but hearing of Simba's devastation and the loss of his father made him feel terrible inside as he replied, "I've never heard the story of Scar that way..." then looking to Simba he finished, "he truly was a killer."

Riku now walking along side them both offered his own words, "that's what the flames of hatred can do to you... it can consume you until there's nothing left at all around you."

This saddened Kovu all the more, realising the terrible ring he'd been swept in and Simba knowing that hate too had driven him as well he was quiet as he moved his paw over the sulphur dusted ground, "true... those flames do kill, but sometimes what is left behind can grow better then the generation before." With those words a little green sprout was revealed with its leaves peeking out showing that it was able to grow despite the ruin from before.

Riku and Kovu were both amazed to see this happen and in such a short amount of time! Simba smiled softly over them both as he finished, "if given the chance."

Smiling as he heard these words Riku looked up to Simba but before he could say another word his ears pricked up as heard the sound of something approaching! Quickly hearing it as well Kovu looked up too as did Simba, the two of them becoming immediately on edge.

Then suddenly out of the darkness the glowing yellow eyes of many fierce lions began to approach them all, the were so many surrounding of them and as Kovu looked on he became wide eyed with horror as he said, "oh no! No!"

Riku quiet though seeing these lions said nothing, he knew that his friend hadn't called them out here and remembering a few certain words from earlier it could only be one he knew of who'd brought these predators here!

"Hey Kovu honey! You miss me?"

Gritting his teeth as Kovu gasped horrified Riku growled angrily as he said, "I knew it!"

Then suddenly approaching them all emerging from the darkness herself was none other then Jona with her ever as cocky arrogant aura with Zira beside her smiling menacingly with her daughter Vitani and son Nuka following after her.

Simba seeing her approach couldn't believe it! What was she doing here?! But quickly the ruler of the Out Lander's spoke as she greeted them, "why Simba?"

Furious he spoke her name, "Zira!"

Continuing to smile away with her sharp teeth exposed Zira gazed at her helpless lot of prey, "what're you doing out here and so... alone?" At once more menacing laughter escaped her lips as all of the surrounding Out Lander's growled angrily showing that they were now all at their mercy.

Hearing these words in moments Riku responded highly, "Simba's not alone! I'm here with him and-"

"What army?" Jona asked jokingly as she interrupted him continuing to smile away.

Zira taking this pause acted as she revealed sinisterly proud, " well done Kovu... just like we've always planned..."

At these words in moments Simba couldn't believe it! Immediately he turned around and spoke accusingly to Kovu with his teeth bare, "you!"

Horrified Kovu protested, "no! I didn't have anything to do with this!" However it was clear that Simba didn't believe him as he growled with fierce rage.

Quickly though Riku went to intervene and defend Kovu as he stood between the two of them and said, "Simba stop! Don't do this! Please listen to me we-"

"Attack!" It was too late as Zira called upon her fellow brethren!

With that they all proceeded forwards their claws extended and sharp teeth bare, in moments a sinister red glow now illuminated all their eyes. Riku seeing this quickly called out his keyblade, 'The Way To Dawn,' and struck Nuka away hard in the side of the head as he leaped in and tried to attack Simba!

Seeing his adopted brother being struck Kovu was horrified as he shouted out, "no!" Everything was falling apart! His family was now attacking the father of the one he loved!

Quickly acting again as he spun and leaped in the air Riku stopped another lioness from getting to the king of the Pride Lands, all of the lions that surrounded them growled menacingly as they encircled them. As they did for a moment Riku stopped, he knew he had to be careful! He didn't know what that red light was but it definitely had made the two lions he'd struck very strong, the was something unnatural! Withdrawing his keyblade he asked, "Simba are you all right?"

Seeing he was doing his best to protect him the king responded his teeth still bare highly agitated, "yeah! I'm fine!"

Relieved to hear this Riku replied, "good!" Then looking at the menacing Out Lander lions as they continued to encircle them all, he knew that he alone wouldn't be able to defeat them all with that strength on his own or even with both Kovu and Simba... if only the other's were there with him!

Once again another roar broke out and in moments a group of three proceeded in for the attack! Seeing this Riku quickly acted and then he saw a chance! "Simba run for it!"

Hearing this from the young cub the lion king couldn't believe it as he tried to argue, "what?! But you-"

Leaping forwards again as the attack came Riku struck them all one by one with his keyblade as he jumped from their backs as they all tried to pin him down. Getting into to air allowed his attacks to be fast and swift which were sending the attackers back! Looking behind him he shouted out, "Simba get going now! This'll be the only chance you'll get!" Then quickly another lion raced forwards as it clashed into the cub's keyblade again.

Acting to the urgency in his voice though he was reluctant Simba could see he was outnumbered and taking this into account he quickly ran forwards breaking through the gap of Out Landers as he went towards a far off cliff.

Quickly covering the gap and stopping any other attackers from following the king of the Pride Lands Riku shouted out, "Dark Firaga!" In moments flames of darkness emerged from the sulphur laden ground and as they did they encircled now Riku Kovu and their attacker,s barring them from pursuing their prey!

Seeing Simba making his get away through the dancing vibrant dark purple flames Zira growled angrily as she called out, "what're you all doing! Get rid of that runt now!"

With that more lions went to attack they were all bashed left and right like rolling pins and as another lioness was sent flying back, landing at the feet of fierce leader she gasped as she spoke, "ow! That little one's too strong!"

Irritated more at this Zira's eye glowed more fiercely red as she asked with spite, "oh strong is he?" Then turning to her second in command she told her, "Jona take him out immediately!"

Hearing this command the earring wearing lioness grinned as she replied, "with pleasure!"With that she raced forwards to engage.

Riku somersaulting back and watched as the lions were all continuing to circle around them and as he did he looked in another direction to Kovu who was still horrified. Looking at him he called out, "Kovu!"

Breaking him out of his silence the petrified lion looked to Riku with widened eyes and as he did the lion cub called out to him again, "don't be afraid! Help us! You've go tot-"

Jona then had taken her chance as she raced forwards and as Riku turned he saw her as she smiled menacingly and said, "oh you're certainly going to be needing help all right!"

Riku's eyes widened as Jona's whole body was now glowing vibrantly with orange light and in seconds before he could defend himself she struck him with her right arm and claws sending him into the air! Then quickly she leaped forwards and caught up with him in mid air and as she did her power almost made her became a round saw like shape as she slammed into him making him shoot down and collide hard into the rough ground.

Seeing this happen Kovu called out distressed, "Riku!"

Gasping on the ground the white lion cub looked up painfully and as he did Jona had already landed and was now standing over him as she continued to grin. She then asked him, "in pain now are you?"

Angered Riku then attempted to get up but then as he did suddenly Jona sunk her right claws into his belly which made him shout out horribly, the earring clad lioness simply continued to smile as she was highly amused by this. She then concluded, "no... I'd say at this minute, agony would be way better of a description!"

Seeing this Kovu couldn't believe it and without a second thought he sealed away any doubts he once had as he quickly launched himself forwards as he shouted out, "Jona!"

Hearing this voice she saw the traitor fast approaching and as she did she asked, "finally decided to act now have ya?"

With that Kovu went to strike her down with his own claws bare, however quickly the sinister lioness simply leaped back and out of the way of his attack as he growled angrily.

The other lions didn't know what to think or say but Riku cringing from the damage he received from Jona spoke, "Kovu..." but then he gasped as his concentration on the ring of fiery darkness ceased and as it did the flames of the spell he'd cast quickly burned away as it faded into the wind.

Seeing their chance Zira smiled as she cried out, "the fire's gone! Pursue Simba now!" In moments the rest of her pack complied as they all began to run off to track down and destroy their helpless royal prey.

Watching them as they all went Kovu quickly acted as he cried out, "no don't! Don't you-"

He then was thrown back as Jona struck him square in the face with her glowing claws and then jumping forwards she hit him with her back legs with one and then two kicks which made him collide into the dusty ground! As he did his head hit a nearby rock knocking him out cold. Seeing this happen Riku called out now highly distressed himself, "Kovu!"

However Jona quiet for a moment looked after the Out Lander lions as they were on their way to track down and kill Simba... she then looked back to both the helpless keyblader and traitor, walking over she stood over him and after a moment she told Kovu coldly with icy eyes, "you're so weak... you let your emotions get the better of you!" With that she lifted her glowing orange claws to deliver the final blow!

"Stop it!"

This quickly distracted Jona as she looked to Riku who was staring at her angrily as he was struggling to get up, he had to do something! He had to save Kovu from her! He also had to save Simba from Zira!

As the two were now staring down each other there was an uncomfortable intense atmosphere between them both. The silence seemed to last for countless ages but then surprising him, the two faced lioness retracted her claws as she said, "heh... this isn't a kill worthy of my claws!" With that she suddenly turned her back to him as she quickly raced forwards to chase after Zira and the other blood thirsty lions.

Riku looking at her didn't understand? Why hadn't she'd taken them both down there and then? But quickly stopping his perplexed thoughts he heard Kovu gasp out painfully.

Quickly Riku got up as he immediately turned his attentions to him, walking over painfully and quickly as he could he called out to him, "Kovu!? Can you hear me? Kovu!?"

Once again as he arrived the Out Lander stirred painfully as he gasped, Riku seeing this immediately acted as he threw himself into the air and called out, "Curaga!" In moments as he caught his keyblade in his mouth again the spell activated and quickly it's warm yellow golden healing effects spread throughout both his body and Kovu's healing the damage that Jona had caused them both.

The pain quickly vanished away as Kovu opened his eyes and asked, "what? What was-"

"Kovu!" Riku called as he too was now back to full strength!

Blinking as he heard his voice Kovu immediately snapped back to reality and as he did he got up in moments as he quickly asked, "Riku? What happened how did we-"

Immediately the white lion cub interrupted him as he told him, "I healed us! But there's no time to explain how! Your pride's chasing after Simba again! We've got to stop them right now!"

Hearing this Kovu couldn't help but wonder how Riku had healed him but realising the situation right there then, time was of the essence and quickly he nodded as he replied, "... all right! Okay!" Then getting up he looked into the distance as he saw the lions all still running and as he saw them he looked back to Riku as he told him, "we better split up!"

Quickly Riku asked him, "why? Why split up when we can?-"

Kovu then told him, "I can take another route to get to Simba more quickly! But down there you're the only one he'll trust now! You can also cope with Jona better than I can!" Then looking forward as he imagined what the planned attack would be, he told Riku further, "and I also know that Pete and Hari will be waiting in ambush with heartless at the ready! You're the only one who can take them all out!"

Hearing his fast logic Riku nodded as he quickly acknowledged it and replied, "... all right! Let's do that then! You come from your proposed side and I'll defend Simba in the eye of the storm!"

"Okay then!" Kovu replied and quickly Riku with that began to make tracks as he quickly launched himself after the Out Landers as he ran forwards.

"Riku!" Turning around he then stopped as Kovu was looking at him standing where he was for a moment as he told him, "you be cautious down there! Don't let your guard down!"

In seconds Riku replied to him, "don't worry I will! You just be careful on your side too!'

With that in reply Kovu simply nodded and quickly with that both lions made their own paths in the desolate charred land, the two of them determined to assist and defend the king of the Pride Lands.