New Angles

Return To The Prideland pt. 3

~Episode twenty: Return To The Pridelands~

~Part Three~

(AU; no Lion Guard competition; continued)

As soon as his paws landed on the edge of the final rock it dropped, throwing off his timing. But not enough to lose their synced lift off, other than the height from which they jumped from.

Kion hit the ground hard on his left side, and Bunga landed a sliding stop, which he took great pleasure in. Kion was just opening his eyes when a shadow began to grow above him.

"Kion!" Ono squawked, while everyone gasped. "Look out!"

Kion's eyes fully opened to the growing darkness. And instinct threw a blast of his roar up to shatter the large stone, which would have likely done some damage if not for the burst of power that shattered it to bits.

And as soon as the dust cleared, all eyes looked to where their leader was.

The relief of coughing allowed them to relax, and then to approach. Kion hesitated a moment, after the coughing had subsided, before rolling off his shoulder with some effort, to lay upright and look around.

"Kion! Are you ok?" Beshte gasped, earning the young lion's attention right away.

"Yeah,..-" he grunted when sitting up, shaking all the dust from his golden coat. "I'll be ok."

"You sure?" Fuli asked, drawing closer.

"Ihn.. yeah." Kion confirmed, after flexing his shoulder out to loosen it up a little.

"Hoh!.. thank you!.." the serval mother said.. appearing before them where Kion could turn his gaze on her.

"Thank you for rescuing my dear sweet Vijana!" She said, "They were playing so nicely,.. I only looked away for a moment and then,.. all of a sudden.. *sigh* I'm so very sorry you had to take such a risk to save him.. but I thank you nonetheless,.. -how can I ever repay you?"

"No need." Kion smiled, straightening up. "This is what we do.. the fact that you're all safe is thanks enough."

"I understand.. but are you sure there isn't something I can do?" The serval wondered further. "After all, you and your friend did almost get crushed just now."

"We're sure.." Kion nodded more certainly. "But thank you for offering, though."

"Of course.. and thank you again." The serval smiled then ushered her kittens to follow her.

"Bunga? You ok?" Kion asked, finally rising from where he lay so that any remaining dust particles could slide off of his back.

"Yeah, I'm good." Bunga answered, strolling toward him a couple paces. "In fact,.. I'm ready to do that again."

"Let's not." Fuli advised dryly, hinting at a slight annoyance.

"Yeah,.. I don't think I could do that again.." Kion agreed with some restraint, hopping a forepaw forward to be in line with the other. "Even if I wanted to."

"You sure you're ok?" Fuli asked, arching

eyebrows furrowed over her attentive green eyes.

"Uh yeah.. just a little sore from the fall.." Kion answered lightly, holding himself rather gingerly. "I'll be ok."

"Why don't we have Rafiki make that determination?" Fuli suggested, stepping over to him and earning a compliant look.