Here's chapter 13 and I hope everyone enjoys. Thank you to Austin, BlackLouie, Poopdoodle and Guest for reviewing the last chapter. A few more reviews would be appreciated :)
Back in the Pridelands, Mufasa was standing at the top ledge of Priderock, his eyes gazing out onto the Kingdom but all he could think of was Simba, Kion and the rest of the rescue party. All he wanted was for all of them to be home with Kion safe and sound.
Part of Mufasa blamed himself for not telling Simba about Scar earlier. Maybe if he had, Simba could have done something about the problem and maybe today, Kion would still be with them. He knew that both his sons partially blamed him and Mufasa felt guilt overwhelming him.
As a proud and strong lion and King, Mufasa had only felt failure twice in his life. First during the war between the Eastern Pride and the River Pride. Only after Simba had finally been able to knock some sense into him and prove to Runju how unnecessary the rivalry between the two Prides were, had Mufasa realized that he had failed as a King. He had led his Pride down a path of darkness and in the end, lives had been lost. He closed his eyes remembering the Pride mates they had lost in the war.
The second time was when Kion had been kidnapped. The minute Mufasa had heard that Scar was responsible for his kidnapping, he had blamed himself for not realizing that Scar was up to something. After all he always was and Mufasa had told himself that he should have known better and protected his family better.
He felt like a fail.
"Dad?" Mufasa turned to see Akila coming up to him and they bumped heads in greeting.
"Still no sign of them…" Mufasa sighed.
"I know…" Akila tried to hide the uncertainty in his voice. "But you know it's going to take a couple days maybe even more."
"How's the kingdom doing?" Mufasa asked.
"The animals are scared…" Akila said. "They heard about Kion being kidnapped and word got out that the hyenas and Scar are responsible. They know that the hyenas were hunting in the Pridelands too. They're scared that the hyenas will come in and over hunt but I promised them that I would make sure they didn't. They went past the borders a few times and scared the herds. I put males all around the borders to make sure that hyenas wouldn't enter. They keep trying to get past the borders a few times but we chased them off."
"Do we have enough to cover all four borders effectively?" Mufasa asked.
"Runju sent backup, he's out there right now too." Akila said. "With their help, we can take turns so we won't tire out."
"You've done well son." Mufasa said.
Akila was silent but he was nearly blown away by Mufasa's praise. Both Simba and him knew it was hard to impress their father.
"Dad, Simba and I both know that you blame yourself for this." Akila said. "And we don't want you to. Its Scar's fault, not yours."
"I should have told Simba who Scar was a long time ago." Mufasa said. "He asked me but I didn't tell him until he and Runju confronted me."
"Even if you did tell Simba who Scar was earlier, he still would have kidnapped Kion." Akila said. "We wouldn't have known what he was planning even if we had properly known who he was."
"I suppose so." Mufasa said. "But it doesn't matter now. I won't let Scar have any of my grand cubs."
"Neither will I." Akila murmured.
"I just wanted to let you know Akila." Mufasa said turning towards him. "That I'm very proud of you."
"For what?" Akila asked looking confused.
"For supporting your brother no matter what. I know it's hard sometimes especially when everyone thinks that it is Simba who does everything." Mufasa said giving his youngest son a smile. "But you've stuck by him no matter what, even when both of us were against you. Not all lions can do this Akila, Scar certainly didn't but I'm proud that you have."
"Guess you're not Dad's favourite after all Simba." Akila thought with a smirk.
"After what happened with Scar," Mufasa continued. "I was so scared that it would happen to you and Simba too. I did my best to make sure that you two would learn to work with each other rather than against. And now I know that I've done my job right."
"Wow…" Akila said. "I never thought you'd ever say that." Mufasa just chuckled and rubbed his paw on top of Akila's head gently messing up his mane.
"Dad!" Akila scoffed, pushing Mufasa's paw away. "You're messing up my mane!"
"Come on now." Mufasa chuckled. "Let's get to the borders and see how everyone's doing." With that, father and son descended down Priderock and towards the borders.
TLKTLKTLKTLKTLKTLKTLKTLK
Meanwhile, back in the Outlands Simba and his search party had gathered up again.
"Okay does everyone know the plan?" Nala asked. "Simba and I will go alone and go around them and approach the Pride from behind and go around to the dens that Kion is in . The rest of you keep going and make sure you have the Pride's attention for as long as you can so Zazu has time to lead Simba and I to the cave that Kion is in."
"And what if there are lions guarding the cave?" Chumvi asked. "They'd be stupid not to have at least one lioness guarding the cave that Kion is in."
"There was one lioness when I went." Zazu nodded from where he was perched on Tojo's shoulder. "You two will have to take care of her without making too much noise."
"I'll deal with her. I'll try to keep her down without making too much noise but if worse comes to worse, I'll have to get rid of her. " Simba said with a sigh. He didn't want to kill a lioness, it wasn't his thing to do. But his son was more important. Nothing was more important to Simba than his cubs.
"If by some chance that Scar realizes what's happening, just run." Shinda said. "Doesn't matter where but just run so they don't attack you. We don't have the numbers to defend ourselves. We can find our way back into the Pridelands."
"Nala," Shani reminded. "There's no guarantee that all of Scar's Pride will come to confront us. There could be Pride members at the back of the den too. Just in case, let Tojo and I come with you. We'll hold them off best as we can so you two have a chance to get Kion."
"When we get Kion, we'll give you a signal to start heading back to the Mountain Pride." Tojo said. "We can regroup there."
"Alright." Simba nodded. "Then let's go. Good luck to all of us and I pray that the spirits above will protect us." He and Nala turned and started going the long way around to get to Scar's Pride with Tojo and Shani following them. The rest of the group watched them go far into the distance before they started to head towards Scar's Pride.
TLKTLKTLKTLKTLKTLKTLKTLK
Zira headed outside of the dens after making sure that Kovu had eaten to find Scar. She found were mate looking uneasy.
"What is it?" Zira asked.
"I expected to see Simba coming by now." Scar said. "Or at least a messenger from the Pridelands demanding us to give Kion back. But there's been nothing."
"And that's bad?"
"Its strange that they haven't done anything." Scar said. "I would expect that they would have come by now. If I see Simba coming, I'd recognize him for sure but he hasn't come yet."
"You-" Zira began but Scar cut her off.
"Doesn't matter." Scar said. "Either way, I've already won. Simba can either come with an army which would leave the Pridelands exposed. If he comes with a small group he'll never be able to fight us all."
Zira nodded and gave him a comforting nuzzle before they headed back into the dens.
Meanwhile, Kion was in the den feeling more worried with every minute that passed. He was sure that his parents would have come to his rescue now but they hadn't. What if they didn't know where he was? Then there would be no way that they could save him…the thought brought tears to his eyes.
"What if I'm stuck here forever?" Kion thought with a sniffle.
Suddenly, Kion heard rushed voices outside the dens.
"Scar!" Came a voice. "Rogues!"
"Oh no…" Kion whispered. His parents had told him about rogues and how they took over Prides and sometimes even kill the cubs. He knew that not all rogues were bad and but he still remembered hearing about how his father had fought them off at the Pridelands border.
"Nuka! Vitani!" Came Zira's voice. "Get Kovu and take him inside the den. Do not let him leave until I say so!" A minute later Kovu trotted into the den with Vitani and Nuka behind him.
"Asna!" Zira snapped storming into the den.
"Yes my Queen?" Asna stammered getting onto her paws.
"Guard the cubs until this is over." Zira said. "If anything happens to Kovu while he is under your watch, I will kill you. Understand?"
"Of course Zira." Asna nodded and Zira left.
"Asna?" Nuka asked. "Who are the rogues?"
"I don't know." Asna said. "We don't know who the rogues are until we confront them."
"Do they want to join this Pride?" Vitani asked.
"Maybe." Asna replied. "If your father thinks that they are harmless, he will let them join. There's greater strengths in numbers. I doubt he will let the males join but I wouldn't be surprised if you lets lionesses join. We'll have the extra help for hunting."
"Don't rogues kill cubs Asna?" Kovu asked, sounding nervous.
"Don't worry." Asna nuzzled Kovu to comfort him. "We won't let anything happen to you three."
Kion only lowered his head, realizing that if rogues took over, there would be no one to protect him. He whimpered softly, now wanting his parents more than anything.
TLKTLKTLKTLKTLKTLKTLKTLKTLKTLK
Meanwhile, Simba and the rest of his group had managed to sneak up from behind and they quietly tiptoed to where Zazu was leading them. Nala peered over a jagged rock to see that Chumvi and the others were keeping the Pride busy by talking.
"Here we are." Zazu whispered pointing at the largest cave there was. "There's a lioness guarding Kion in there."
"I'll take care of her." Simba said. "Nala, get Kion." Without a warning. Simba turned and pounced into the cave and Nala heard a surprised cry. They rushed into the cave to see that Simba was struggling to keep the lioness down, with one of his paws on covering her mouth so she wouldn't be able to make any noise. That was when Nala noticed the three cubs looking at the sight in awe.
"Get the cubs!" Nala whispered to Tojo and Shani who immediately grabbed the cubs and kept their mouth covered so they wouldn't call out.
"Mom! Dad!" Nala's heart skipped a beat when she heard Kion's voice calling out for her. She whirled around to see her son running towards her. Tears filled her eyes when she saw that Kion was safe and unharmed.
"Kion!" Nala held him tightly for a few seconds before she heard an angry roar. Picking Kion up, she turned around to see that Simba had a bloody paw while the lioness had managed to get out of his grasp. Tojo, who was holding the biggest cub pounced on him but he missed and the lioness ran out of the den.
"Scar!" The lioness cried. "Simba's taking Kion! It's all a trick!"
"Run!" Simba said. "Now!" Nala sprinted out of the cave with the other three behind her. She heard a roar of anger from Scar's Pride as they gave the chase.
And that's when chaos broke out.
Chumvi watched as Scar's Pride chased after Simba and the others and he turned to his group.
"Run!" Chumvi ordered. "Now!"
"Not so fast!" Scar growled from behind them and he pounced on Chumvi from behind and took him down.
"Chumvi!" Kula cried as she ran back to help her mate along with Alex and Shinda.
"Chumvi…" Scar thought. If this lion was Chumvi then he was Kovu's biological father.
"Dad!" Came a voice. It was Kovu running towards him followed by Nuka and Vitani.
"Kovu get out of here!" Scar roared, terrified that Chumvi would recognize Kovu. By now, Kula had reached her mate. Chumvi was struggling underneath Scar's weight and Kula hit Scar hard on the side of his face and he roared in pain.
"Hey!" Scar heard Kovu cry from behind Nuka. "Leave my dad alone! Leave him alone!"
"Oh the irony…" Scar muttered to himself as Chumvi pushed him off and Kula pinned him down with Alex's help.
"Let me get rid of him and his cubs!" Chumvi growled angrily. He wasn't a cub killer but his anger at Scar made him want to be. He looked at the three cubs. He couldn't see the youngest two as they were hiding behind the bigger one but he could tell that one was a light golden colour while the other one was a dark brown colour. The shade of brown seemed oddly familiar and he was trying to remember where he saw it when Shinda's voice interrupted him.
"Chumvi lets go! If we kill either of them, they will follow us. We have Kion, let's get out of here!" Shinda said, pulling Chumvi away from the cubs and Scar. Chumvi nodded, giving Scar one more hit on the leg and he roared in pain. Satisfied that he wouldn't be able to follow them, they began running back to the mountain pride. Scar watched them go, growling in anger but unable to get up from the pain in his leg. He could only hope that the rest of his Pride had caught Simba and the others but he doubted it.
"I'm gonna get him!" Kovu glared at them angrily and before anyone could stop him he got up and ran behind the fleeing group.
"Kovu!" Scar roared after him, terrified Chumvi would turn around and recognize him. He wouldn't lose his heir to the throne…he had no other successors.
"Nuka do something!" Vitani cried looking at her oldest brother but Nuka was frozen in fear and Vitani looked at her father but realized with his injured leg, he wouldn't be able to get up.
"Kovu!" Vitani ran after her brother. Being faster she managed to catch up with him and pounce on him to stop him from running after the rogues.
Chumvi sprinted behind his group but stopped when he heard muffled shouting. He turned to see the golden cub pouncing on the darker younger one. Chumvi stopped and stared at the sight…a feeling of nostalgia washed over him. He couldn't get a clear view of the cubs but it was almost as if he was looking at someone he knew or had at least known.
"Chumvi come on! We have to find Nala's group!" Alex pulled him along. Shaking the thought out of his head, Chumvi followed them. Right now the only important thing was finding Kion.
Meanwhile Nala who was still carrying Kion and Shani were still sprinting to the mountain pride. Nala could only hope that Simba and Tojo were still following them. Simba's injured paw had slowed him down greatly and Tojo had pushed Nala and Shani ahead, promising them that he would get Simba and catch up with them.
"Keep your promise Tojo." Nala thought, not only terrified for her mate but for her cousin who she loved like her own brother.
"Mom…" Kion's terrified voice slowed her down. Exhausted from the run, Nala stopped and set Kion down. Shani stopped too and collapsed on the ground, grateful to be able to take a break.
"Mom…mom…I…" Kion's voice was choked with tears. He had been so happy to see his parents and family but after seeing his father get injured and left behind with his uncle, Kion didn't know what to do.
"Shhh its okay." Nala soothed, pulling him into her paws. "I'm right here. You're safe with me." She cradled Kion in her paws, rocking him back and forth.
"But what about Dad?" Kion asked wiping his tears away. "And Uncle Tojo? And the others?"
"They're going to be okay." Nala assured. "I promise." She handed Kion to Shani who coddled him for a bit, giving Nala a chance to lick and clean her sore paws from running.
"Nala! Shani!" Nala's heart jumped as she turned around to see Kula's group heading towards them.
"Oh thank the spirits above you're all safe!" Shani beamed at them. They greeted each other affectionately and once making sure Kion was okay, Shinda turned to Nala with worry in her eyes.
"Where are Simba and Tojo?" Shinda asked.
"Simba's paw got injured and he couldn't keep up. Tojo sent us ahead and promised us that he would get Simba and catch up." Nala said, the worry in Shinda's eyes being reflected in her own.
"They're out there alone?" Chumvi exclaimed. "I'm going to get them now!"
"No Chumvi." Shani turned to him. "You don't know where they are and Scar's Pride will be on the watch and they will spot you. The Mountain Pride isn't too far away now, our best chance is to go there and get reinforcements to help. That's what Simba would have wanted."
"Fine." Chumvi said. "Let's go now and we can make it in time to help them." Nala nodded and got up along with Shani who picked Kion up and placed him on Alex's back, letting him sink into Alex's soft amber red mane.
"Go to sleep." Nala whispered, nuzzling the exhausted cub. "Everything's going to be fine when you wake up." Kion didn't like naps but he was so tired and couldn't keep his eyes open. Nala watched as his eyes shut and he buried his face into Alex's mane.
TLKTLKTLKTLKTLKTLKTLKTLKTLKTLK
When Kion opened his eyes, he was in another unfamiliar cave. He gasped wondering if he was back at Scar's pride but then felt someone settled down beside him. He rolled around expecting it to be his mother but he was shocked to come face to face with Simba who had been patiently waiting for Kion to wake up.
"Dad!" Kion cried, jumping up and burying himself into Simba's mane and Simba held onto him tightly.
"Kion, I thought I lost you." Simba said, keeping Kion in his grasp.
"Where…how did we end up here? Where's Uncle Tojo? Is he alright?" Kion stammered out, still exhausted and in shock.
Simba licked the top of his head. "Uncle Tojo is fine. Everyone's okay. We're in the Mountain Pride, Uncle Tojo and I actually got here before your mother and the others did and we regrouped here."
"Kion." Nala walked into the den and towards them. She covered Kion with licks and nuzzles and Kion stayed in Nala's protective embrace.
"Are you hurt?" Nala looked at him in concern and Kion shook his head but the word 'hurt' reminded him of something.
"Dad, is your paw okay?" Kion asked, looking at Simba's injured paw. He winced at the sight of it.
"I'll be alright." Simba chuckled, rubbing his Kion's head with his paw. "You know I'm tougher than that!" Nala laughed as she settled down on the other side of Kion.
The sight of his parents warmed Kion's heart. They had come out here, all the way for him and risked everything. He felt himself tearing up, from the fear and exhaustion of the thought of never being able to reunite with them.
"Kion what's wrong?" Nala asked looking concerned. "Did something happen while you were with Scar's Pride?"
"They didn't hurt they did they?" Simba asked. If they had put a claw on his son, he would go rip them each into pieces whether he had an injured paw or not.
"I didn't know if you were going to come and save me." Kion sniffed. "I thought I would be there forever." Nala licked away his tears and stroked his face lovingly.
"Kion, we'd come for you even if you were halfway across the world. We would never leave you like that." Nala said, smiling at her cub.
"The entire Pride wanted to come and get you." Simba licked the top of his head. "That's whats makes us a Pride."
"Have you eaten anything?" Nala asked. "You're probably starving."
"I did eat…" Kion said. "And Kovu he told me-"
"Who's Kovu?" Simba asked.
"Scar's son." Kion said. "He wanted to play with me but he wasn't allowed. They have a weird Pride Dad."
"And why's that?" Simba asked.
"So first he told me that he doesn't have anyone to play with because his brother doesn't like him and he always has training and lessons so he can't do anything. And then he said that his Pride has to fight over meals or else they don't get anything to eat." Kion said.
"Poor cub…" Nala murmured. "You are lucky to be born into a Pride like ours."
"Yeah." Kion nodded in agreement.
"Come with me." Nala said. "Uncle Tojo wants to see you and you need to eat." Kion nodded and after giving Simba a nuzzle he followed his mother out of the cave.
"Is this the Mountain Pride Mom?" Kion asked as Nala led him to where the others were.
"Yes it is." Nala said. "They were very helpful to us and I expect you to thank them when we leave."
"Alright." Kion nodded. "When're we leaving?"
"Tomorrow afternoon." Nala said. "We want to give your father sometime to rest his paw. We'll be home after that. Kiara and Kopa are waiting to see you."
The thought of home warmed Kion's heart. He was excited to see his siblings, grandparents and the rest of his Pride. Nala was right, he was lucky to be born into the Pridelands. The Pridelands were his home.
And home was where he wanted to be.
Sorry if it's a bit of a short chapter, I can never figure out when to end each one. Anyways, so I know that I haven't updated in forever (as usual) but hey life and writers block gets in the ways. So in this chapter we saw that Kovu (Enye) was just about to see his birth parents if Scar hadn't gotten in the way. Mufasa opens up to Akila while Akila is blown away by praise. Simba and Nala's rescue party was a success and everyone's heading home happy…for now at least. Stay tuned for more…I have lots of ideas for this story and I'm positive that it'll be worth the wait :)
A little hint about the next chapter: It will start with Rafiki making some very interesting declarations. Look out for the next chapter to find out just what they are.
Please do take time to review, even if its just a quick short one. Your comments and feedback help me write better and develop the story further. I'd love to hear your opinions on Kovu almost being reunited with his birth family.