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Chapter X: Visions of the Past and Future

Author's note: A LINE KOPA SAYS IS A LINE FROM "YOUR GUARDIAN ANGEL" BY RED JUMPSUIT APPARATUS, AND THE SONG STRIKE SINGS IS "SHOW ME THE LIGHT" OWNED BY GOOD TIMES. WE BY NO MEANS OWN THESE SONGS.

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Kiara's POV:

"Who are you, Pridelander?" The dark cub snarled haughtily.

"My dad told me to stay away from outlanders..."

"I bet ya do what daddy says huh?" the cub said, starting to stalk around me.

"N-no..." I said, trying to impress this cub.

"Bet you do. Bet you're Daddy's little girl! Ha ha!" he laughed as he hopped across logs floating in nearby water. "An Outsider doesn't need anybody. I take care of myself!" He said proudly as he strutted across a log

"Really?" I asked in awe, following him. The idea just seemed so... appealing. Suddenly, he looked back at me with a look of absolute petrification.

"Wuhh... woaaaahh!" He shouted in terror. I turned around to see what he was looking at... and found myself eye to eye with a hungry-looking crocodile.

"Aaaaahhh! Run!" I shouted, leaping onto another log as the crocodile's jaws snapped together where I'd been only moments before. "This way!" We narrowly escaped, leaping from rock to rock across the river as more and more alligators started rising up around us. We just barely got out of reach of the crocodiles' jaws as more and more rose up out of the water.

We soon found ourselves on a couple of stones in the middle of the water. We stopped, panting from the excitement, to catch our breaths. "That was a close one." said the cub. "Yeah..." I agreed. Then I found myself in a peculiar situation; the stone I was standing on was slowly rising. With a a shock, I realized what I was standing on. "Whooaaahhh!" we said in unison, before leaping in opposite directions. I climbed up a nearby tree limb floating in the water to get out of reach; meanwhile, the other cub jumped past me, leaping from crocodile to crocodile down the river. "Hey... what about me?" I shouted at him, angry and scared.

"You gotta take care of yourself! I'll distract them. Run!" I watched in fright as he slipped off the last crocodile into the water; as he came up, gasping for air, the crocodiles moved towards him menacingly.

"Look out!" I shouted, trying to warn him. But he was so paralyzed in fright, he didn't move an inch. Taking a chance, I leapt on the head of one of the alligators, clamping its jaws shut. "Move it!" We scrambled up a branch and up onto the riverbank, out of the reach of danger. From the top, we rested for a few moments, before moving back to look over the edge. The crocodiles were still massing below, furious at being cheated of their meal. I looked over at the cub, smirking. "I did it... I did it!"

"Hah!" The cub laughed. We moved back from the edge of the riverbank, and onto grass.

"Whoah! Did you see the size of those teeth? They were goin' "Rawr..." I rolled back onto my back, chuckling. "He was just about to eat you up right there, and I jumped on his head- and I bopped him so good." I didn't hear the loud rustling in the grass nearby and continued. "We make such a good team! And you... you were really brave!" I said, smiling. The cub nodded.

"Yeah... you were pretty brave too. My name's Kovu."

Kovu. What an odd name. But nice, in it's own way. Very unique. "I'm Kiara." I said, moving towards him. I crouched down playfully, waving my tail; I reached out and batted him in the shoulder in an attempt to get him to play. "Tag! You're it!" I jumped back, laughing and expecting him to respond; instead of chasing, Kovu just looked at me silently with a very confused look. "Hello? You run, I tag... get it? What's the matter? Don't you know how to play?"

Simba's POV:

I had just gotten back from patrol when Timon and Pumbaa ran into the cave shouting, "We lost her!"

"Lost who?" I demanded, mind switching into overdrive. Not Kiara...

"Kiara she must've wandered off while we were-" Pumbaa was cut off by Timon's elbow to his ribs.

"What he means to say, is that Kiara went to the Outlands. We thought she was chasing a butterfly, so..." he trailed off, slumping a little.

"That doesn't matter; let's go. Lead me to her!" I shouted, suddenly in fear of my daughter's life. I called to Nala and the other lionesses before heading off towards the Outlands.

I arrived by the river that formed our western border with the Outlands, to see Zira and a little brown cub by Kiara. I leapt in front of Kiara protectively before Zira could do attempt anything. "Don't you dare touch here!" I growled, glaring at Zira.

"Simba," Zira said in an almost bored tone, as if she would rather be discussing philosophy over chamomile tea.

"Zira, you know what the penalty is for going into the Pridelands." I growled threateningly. I looked down at the little brown cub below me, who was visibly shaking in terro of me. I felt a little bit of compassion on the cub's behalf, but masked it.

Zira just gave me a sly grin. "Yes; but he does not. Oh, you haven't met Kovu have you? He is Scar's heir and was born after you exiled us to the Outlands, where we have little food, less water. If you need your pound of flesh, here it is." She said, pushing her own son towards me. I read the smug smile on her face; she knew I wouldn't kill him.

I looked up at Zira, eyes narrowed. "No, Zira; I won't stoop to your level- I won't murder an innocent!" I spat, remembering what she had done to Kopa. I picked up Kiara by the scruff of her neck, and the four of us went our separate ways...

Vitani's POV

I walked out of my termite den, only to notice Mom was walking in, shouting for Nuka. I sighed; something told me Kovu almost got in trouble again, I decided to see what all the commotion was... when I saw her standing over Kovu. "You thought you could get to Simba through his daughter? What an idea..." she suddenly switched from scolding to pure joy in seconds. "What an IDEA!" she said, chuckling a little. Oh no... I had heard that dramatic voice change before, and it had only brought me sorrow. I wanted to help Kovu; possibly even take him and run to the Pridelands. But I knew Mom would kill us both, quite literally. I had no choice but to listen as she started singing what began as a simple lullaby, but evolved into something even darker and more sinister. I walked out of the den, sighing as I headed towards Lati, while Mother sang, "I've been exiled, persecuted..."

Fuwele's POV:

"Ahem, the meeting is about to start." Brasta said, surprisingly warm compared to his normal tone. Tojo and I nodded before Brasta headed off to the throne room.

A few minutes later, we walked there side by side, as the day slowly started ending and night began. Tojo leaned into my side, a little unsteady even though Brasta was helping to support his other side; I could feel the warmth coming from Tojo's body as he leaned into me, his presence as comforting as ever. I barely noticed when we arrived at the meeting, and was even slightly disappointed that we had to separate from our current position due to the size of the crowd. Everyone, including all the pride's cubs, was there. We worked our way through the crowd and finally got to our position at the far end of the chamber. I observed that Brasta and Dad were already in theri positions by the throne.

Dad took one look at Tojo and narrowed his eyes, giving him the famous "stay away from my daughter or I'll rip you to shreds" glare; but then the most surprising thing happened. Brasta shot a sharp, rebuking look at Father, silently asking him to let Tojo stay by my side. Father said nothing, but nodded grudgingly to show his consent. I took my place next to Brasta and Tojo while Father reclined regally on his throne.

After we had situated ourselves, I saw Strike on a rock; far enough away not be seen, but close enough to listen. Then Dad broke the silence. "My fellow pride members and subjects, you have probably been wondering why I called this assembly at this time of the night. The reason is that two of our old foes are back and out for revenge if they find us. To those of you who were too young to remember or not born then, these villains are the same ones who nearly destroyed our pride with a clan of hyenas several years ago." Several lionesses growled; they remembered well enough, and would do anything to get their claws on the lions that had caused their pride so much misery. "Their names are Sadic and Drake; thought to be dead, several days ago they attacked and critically injured Strike. We don't know when they will return, but the one thing that is certain is that it will be in numbers; most likely with hyenas again." A good number of the lions that had lived through the previous tragedy shivered; they didn't want to be exposed to the traumatic experience of seeing loved ones ripped apart by the two lions nad their hyena soldiers gain. "I will now turn over this meeting to my son, Brasta, who has the defense plans made."

With that, Dad turned his head to Brasta, who confidently stepped up to speak. "The defenses are simple. We form a back-facing wedge with the rear rank facing the enemy and the sides pushing out. The lions in the edges will then leap over the left and right ranks and attempt to flank the enemy forces, while our front line drives a wedge between the enemy center to split them off into smaller splinter groups. There will be three triangles: I'll command the Beta force, my father will command the Alpha force, and if Strike is in health when this attack comes he will lead Epsilon force. We have split you up into these platoons, leaving one to three medics in each for medical care. The rest of the healers that can fight will be assigned to the protection of the cubs and main base, which is Strike's den in the center of our underground cave complex. There we will have a basic wall defense, and will fill in the ranks if one of your friends falls. All healers not attached to another unit will be in a fourth group, Hermes squadron. Your job is attending to the sick, and protecting the cubs and infirmary at all times during the battle. Also, as of now we are posting our four fastest hunters as scouts on the borders surrounding our lands. The hunting party, after gathering food, will then spread out into teams of three as scouts for our outermost borders. Are there any questions?" Brasta looked at them with a determined look in his eye; no one spoke. "As you all know, these two are especially dangerous and merciless. You also know that to have any chance of survival we must be ready to protect the lands at all costs. Now, are you with me?" Brasta asked as a small tear ran down his cheek; he knew that there was no way all of us would survive in this conflict. All the lions and lionesses roared their assent. My heart went out to Brasta as he stepped down, leading dad to dismiss us...

Brasta's POV:

I walked away with a heavy heart; I knew that this was most likely an act of suicide for at least 1/8 of our pride, but there was no way to cut the losses. I could not get out of my head the thought that my plan would spell the ruin of my pride and family. Fuwele dead, my Father dead, Strike dead... I needed to be alone; I needed the solace I so longed for, just a little bit of peace and quiet. But I was interrupted by the sound of paws padding down the tunnel; apparently, Strike happened to follow me. I was surprised he could even walk; I guess his tenacity is good for more than aggravating people. Well, it never aggravated me, but that wasn't the point. He looked at me, panting a little from the effort of walking, and said cautiously, "You know that it's possible we won't win this time, right?"

"You don't think I know that?" I snapped.

"Brasta, it's not your fault! There is no other way to do this; I know you went over those plans for hours, and I know the fighting ability and strength of our numbers. This was a better strategy than I could've come up with." He said, trying to calm me down; I barely noticed his laboured breathing.

"Yes, but when they die, no one else will feel the guilt; the guilt, blame, and pain will all be on my shoulders. Confiteor Deos omnipotentis, et te, fratrem meum, quia peccavi nimis in cogitatione, verbo, et opere. Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa ..." I started babbling in Latin, I was in such a state of anxiety. Images of wounded bodies of my friends rushed around my head."I've sent my own friends and family to their graves! I'm no better than Sadic; I viewed them as pawns on a battle plan, not as living beings, and now when I least expect it Sadic and Drake will swoop in, and I'll have to watch as my family is ripped apart!" I almost shouted, reaching a point of near hysteria.

"BRASTA, CALM DOWN AND USE YOUR GOD-GIVEN SENSES!" he shouted, clutching his ribs in pain at the same time. Once he caught his breath, he continued a bit softer. "Look, you are better than them; even if Sadic is a strategist, he doesn't care about who lives or dies as long as he causes pain. You, however, are compassionate and caring, and this here shows it. Brasta, you're feeling remorse for something that hasn't even happened yet. That's how you are different than them; remember that. And always remember that no matter what, I have your back." Strike said, limping off in heaving breaths.

I felt a sudden odd feeling in my heart that wasn't guilt. It was... pleasant, actually. I waited until Strike had gotten a bit further away. Then I slowly got up and started following him.

Kopa's POV:

After the meeting, I decided to catch up with Fuwele; there were still some things I needed to sort out. I found her sitting on a rock by a cistern in the cave complex, obviously deep in thought. I went over to her and sat next to her, reaching a comforting paw around her. "Anything I can help with?" I said trying to lighten up the mood.

She looked back at me, tears shining in her emerald eyes. "It's just... now this makes it official that they are back, and there's nothing we can do about it..." she said trailing off. She appeared rather terrified, but not of me; of whatever it was she had been thinking about. "Tojo, I'm scared. I know that you, Strike, and Brasta will defend me with your lives, but you have no idea what it feels like to have these demons from the past coming back to haunt you." She trembled, and I wrapped my paws around her even tighter.

"It's okay, Fuwele; I'll won't let you fall, I'll defend you, and I'll be with you through it all... even if saving you sends me to heaven." I said, remembering something I'd imagined saying to Vitani months ago, shortly after my near-demise. I felt her nuzzle my neck affectionately, staying close. We remained in a state of mutual bliss as we sat there long into the night, that slowly became a searing blaze of igneous passion, enfolding us in it's amorous and breathless tendrils. I felt as our bodies melded perfectly into each other. I felt the warmth of her body, and the beating of her heart; or was it my heart? I couldn't tell anymore...

Strike's POV:

I was out walking around, singing softly to myself the song I had created up about Fujo when I was searching for her, for some reason that song came to mind now, all alone on the Savannah.

"I'm out here on my own

To face the day alone

I need you to get me through the night."

Gods, how I needed her now. I'd been alone for so long. Sure, Brasta and Fuwele had been there- but I considered them my adopted siblings; it wasn't the same.

"I'm lost out in the cold I want someone to hold

I feel you're near, though you're out of sight."

So near, yet so far... in Heaven with the Gods and all their saints. I looked up at the sky; there's a legend taught to cubs that every star is an ancestor who has gone before us, watching us all from the heavens. She wasn't an ancestor... but she was pure, innocent, wise. Surely she was up there too?

"And even though we're far apart

I search the moonlit sky

I make a wish to be home with you

Can't you hear me cry?"

Could she hear me at all? If she was up there? I was searching the sky, hoping for it to be her star. To be her heavenly light.

"Show me the light

Someone to lead and guide me

Show me the light

A love to stand beside me

Show me the light

When I fear the dark

A ray of sunshine, a rainbow's arc

Show me the light."

I sighed, still walking along a starry Savannah. What was I playing at? I would never see her again. Wasn't it enough she had saved me from Sadic and Drake, allowed me to see her one last time? Was I being too selfish, too naive?

As I gazed up at the stars, I saw an extraordinary and probably hallucinated sight; a star took the shape of Fujo, and descended from the heavens to my side in a column of silvery moonbeams. She was a radiant as ever, quite literally as she was sparkling with argent light. I heard her voice clearly, as it began singing in harmony with me.

"I'm reaching for a star

Wondering where you are

Where is the love searching for me too?"

Right then, I wanted to say, Standing right beside you. After searching for so long... I looked up at her, as she pointed towards some distant mountains as she sang.

"Oh, beyond the mountain top

The dream will never stop

Give me a sign

I'm running out of time."

I knew she was. She had used enough time as it was. She should be enjoying herself in the Kingdom of Heaven. And yet here she was with me. Was it a dream or not? If it was, I didn't care- it was still a comfort to me.

"Oh, I know someone is on their knees

Praying for me now

Won't you come and hear my pleas?

Save me somehow

Oh, somehow..."

She had saved me. She hadn't needed to, but she had saved me from my death, even in this insubstantial and only spiritual form.

"Show me the light

Someone to lead and guide me

Show me the light

A love to stand beside me

Show me the light

When I fear the dark

A ray of sunshine, a rainbow's arc

Show me the light

Show me the light..."

Once the last verse had ended, I looked around and saw that her angelic form had gone. I slowly sank to the ground. I couldn't help but be saddened; but in my sadness, I saw that Kopa and Fuwele together. At least they could have that kind of happiness. I smiled, and decided rest in the spot I had last seen Fujo. Before I went to sleep, though, I searched the celestial map of the heavens until I found a star that glowed brighter than the rest; what I'd been searching for all along. I smiled and let my emotions take control. "Fujo, thank you."

Authors Note: the Latin phrase Brasta used means; "I confess to the Almighty Gods, and thee, my brother, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed. Through my fault, my fault, my fault, my most grievous fault."