Fallen Allies

Chapter 36 Charge

Akili and his army marched through the land, Fuli quickly running up to Akili's side, "how are you feeling Fuli?" The lion asked, Fuli giving a light smile, "I'm nervous, but excited, Kiara and the others are getting homesick, they miss their families, but we keep pushing, having Kion back would release a great level of pressure from everyone in the pride" she said.

Akili smiled at the cheetah, this is the best mood that he had seen from her in recent memory, "I feel bad, I've been so worried about some of my issues that I haven't given as much focus on you and the other Pridelanders, I'll try to improve that in this final stretch of our journey" he said, Fuli giving a light chuckle.

Something caught Akili's attention, over to the side of the group Dexter was found stumbling over himself and gripping at his head, "Dex? What's going on?" Akili asked as he ran up to the lion who collapsed to the ground.

"It's here, right here, this is where it happens" he said as his voice began to crack, Talon's face was drained of its color, right here is where his sight stopped, Dexter could no longer see the story.

Akili caught Talon's attention, "Talon, get Dexter into that cave right there, he needs some rest, I think we could all use a break" he said, Talon nodding and hoisting Dexter onto his back, taking him into the wide hole in the ground.

Talon lightly placed him onto the ground, "you're going to live Dex, don't you worry, I'm not letting you leave my sister" he said as he looked at the unconscious lion and left the den.

As Talon came back to the group Akili pulled him aside, "do you know what's going on?" He asked his towering ally, Talon saw this as his chance, he could finally take that burden off his chest, but he knew it wasn't how Dexter wanted it, he just lightly shook his head, leaving Akili without words, "just keep an eye on him, we need everyone for when we get to Walioanguka" Akili said as Talon walked away, Akili's eyes lingering at the black lion for a moment before he turned around and walked back towards the Pridelanders.

🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾

From over a nearby cliff edge a lion with one red eye watched the dots of movement, "get your rest everyone, tomorrow the first wave will be sent out" the lion growled, everyone cheering at the words except for one lone leopard who could only avert her eyes from the group.

🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾

As the sun fell to its slumber the Frostbourne began to fall to sleep but Akili remained awake, "you miss Azizi, don't you?" Akili said to Kiara, "I miss everyone, I miss mom and dad a lot too, I don't know how Kovu is doing, this is the first time he's ever been singled out to rule, it's just worrying to me is all" she said as she let out a breath, "the idea of Kion being back is a lot to say the least, he's missed so much, he missed the prides coming together, he missed Kovu ever stepping into the land, what is he just doesn't accept it how it is" she said, Akili nodding along with her words.

"I understand your worries, but Kion has always been good with adapting to new situations, he should be fine" Akili chuckled, "he'll be ok, I'm honestly more concerned on how the Pridelands will react to seeing him again" Akili continued with a smile.

Kiara chuckled slightly, she was so close to finally getting her brother back, "when we were little we would run around the lakes and rivers, speaking of the possible day where the Pridelands would finally be at peace, we found that peace, without him though, I want him to see what we made" she said as a tear fell from her eye.

"His pride for you will be high, I'm sure he's smiling already" Akili said, looking up to the sky he saw the moon nearing its peak, "get some sleep, we have a long journey tomorrow" he said.