The Lost Rogue: Nothing Like The Rest

Arc 1: Nakuhitaji (I need you)

The sun slowly rose over the Tree of Life, basking the kingdom in a golden blazing color. The light reached the entrance to the tree itself, shining its light on two particular lions. Rani, the chocolate lioness and queen of the kingdom had one of her legs wrapped around Kion, the former prince/turned rogue of the Pride-Lands. Rani rested her head on top of Kion's, unconsciously trying to show her love and affection to this now broken and damaged version of the boy that she loves.

Kion began stirring awake, opening his eyes to reveal where he was now. Quickly grasping his surroundings, realizing that he was inside the Tree of Life. Kion tried to get up and felt a weight covering him from his side. He turned to see Rani, the lioness he loves. "so...amazing" Kion whispered out as he carefully shifted his weight so that Rani was lying down on the ground and he could stand. As he stood upright, Kion felt a sharp pain run across his body. It took all of his willpower to not scream in agony. After calming down, he started walking out of the den and soon was in the vast kingdom of the Tree of Life illuminated by the horizon of the sun. It reminded him so much of home. Except he didn't have a home anymore. It was gone, reduced to ashes apparently. With a heavy sigh, Kion made his way to the Lake of Reflection, hoping that drowning would finally be the way he could repay for his sins.

Rani woke up with her source of heat missing from the den. Panic quickly overwhelmed her as she scrambled to her feet and ran out of the tree. "Where is he?" She quickly picked up his scent and realized he was heading for the lake. "Please don't do what I think you're gonna do Kion...." Rani ran faster and faster, her cells igniting more and more with the panic of her heart. Kion was not in a healthy state right now, both mentally and physically. She never had seen an animal with more broken bones in her entire life. The last time she saw him was when he had to return home because a lioness named Zira was attacking the Pride Lands. When he left, it took everything in her power to not leave her kingdom and run away to him. Her uncle and healer reminded her of her duty to her people, not Kion. Still, it didn't stop her from fantasizing about the two of them.

*= thinking/mental dialogue

But those fantasies were never going to come true. Kion was broken, and in the state he is now, any chance of him recovering is practically impossible. *He's been through so much* Rani's thoughts echoed in her head as she ran faster, Kion's scent getting stronger and stronger as she continued to run towards the lake.

Kion had just made it to the shore. Now he looked down at the water, gazing at his reflection. *This is what I am now huh?* Everything felt worthless now. His home was gone, more than half of his people were eviscerated in a catastrophic accident that is seemingly impossible, and worst of all, his dad was among the dead. His dad was gone, never to be seen again.

Death wasn't anything new to him. In the past 3 months, he's caused many deaths. So why was his dad's death affecting him so much? Everyone knows that they will eventually die and pass on, the question is how they die. Simba always told his son this. "When I die, it will be when I am helping my kingdom. I don't wanna go out any other way. I also want to die with a smile on my face."

*Why did you go back, you stupid fucking bastard?!!* Kion's heart raced as he now looked up at the sky and stared at its orange hue. He has had enough. "WHY DID YOU DO THIS TO US HUH?? WHAT WAS THE FUCKING POINT IN BEING A HERO!!!! ALL IT DID WAS GET YOU KILLED!!!!!!" Finally, he let his emotions leave his mouth. He was angry, scared, confused. He was just done with the world as a whole.