The Lion Guard- Resurrection and Return

Chapter 22: A Hidden Power

Kion and Rani awoke to the sound of the rock at the entrance of the cave being pushed aside. They were momentarily blinded from the light intruding the darkness from the outside of the cavernous prison.

A piece of meat was thrown inside the cave that was barely enough to survive til the next meal.

Both lions stared at the piece of meat hungrily, but they soon noticed each other's intent. As soon as Kion's eyes met Rani's, Rani felt a surge of softness in her heart.

Kion: Rani, you can have the meat. You need it more than me.

Rani: No Kion, you're the one that suffered more, so you need it.

Kion: I don't agree.

Rani: Well too bad.

The two teenage lions argued back and forth for a while until they eventually shared the piece of meat between each other. After finishing, they licked their muzzles and laid down.

Rani: Kion?

Kion: Yes Rani?

Rani: I want you to know that, thank you for comforting me yesterday.

Kion smiled a bright smile that was even visible without much light. The warm smile melted Rani's heart and seemed to glow in the darkness.

Kion: My pleasure-Princess.

Rani laughed at his humorous response, but her laughter was cut short by the sound of the rock being moved aside. Light pierced the darkness of the cave, and both lions were blinded momentarily.

Inside the cave, stepped the last lion either of them wanted to see. Scar himself.

Scar laughed maniacally upon seeing the two lions' condition.

Scar: How are my two little lions today?

Kion: Cut the act Scar.

Scar: Now is that how you talk to your granduncle? What a shame. Too bad you won't be talking much like that soon.

Rani: What do you mean by that?

Scar: Your precious tree will lay in ruins. Because of you, you left your precious tree vulnerable. My army will decimate you and your friends to the brink of death.

Both lions growled at Scar.

Scar: Oh by the way! I want you to meet some animals that may seem familiar to you. However, they are quite appealing.

The silhouettes of 4 animals entered the premises and as they came into vision, Kion and Rani stayed there, shocked.

The 4 animals were their friends Ono, Anga, Azaad, and Bunga. However, they looked...different.

Their fur colors were slightly darker, but what caught most attention was their eyes. Their eyes looked so similar and distant. Their eyes were dark red with a black outline around them. It seemed as if they were being controlled by someone or something.

Kion: Guys, what happened to you?!

Scar laughed uncontrollably.

Scar: They won't answer you Kion! They were very easy to catch. You failed them and you will have to pay the price. You will see the consequences of your actions and your family will suffer in front of your eyes.

Scar started directly into the eyes of Kion, causing him to black out and be corrupted by a vision.

Kion woke up to utter chaos ensuing around him. The Pridelands and Tree of Life were ablaze and all of his friends were dead. Kion saw Pride Rock engulfed in the massive inferno and worried about his family. As we approached, he saw his sister Kiara and his mother, Nala, lying motionless on the ground. Each had several claw marks on them and dry blood. As he advanced, he saw Simba, his father, being succumbed to the power of Scar. Scar swiftly slashed Simba's throat, immediately killing him.

Kion: NOOOOO!!!

Kion was then freed from the vision and he was filled with regret and worry.

Scar: You see Kion? You see again what will happen because of you? I hope you spent the last few days of your life to comprehend what contentment you are going to have.

Kion looked at Scar once more and then looked at his friends. In their eyes, he saw betrayal, evil, darkness, and corruption.

Scar finally gestured for the 4 of them to leave and they obeyed. As soon as they left, Scar laughed evilly and grinned again.

Scar: Good luck with all of this Kion. You and your friend won't be getting out of here anytime soon.

At that very moment, Kion got the idea to use the roar. It could blast a hole in the wall for them to escape or distract Scar.

Kion took a deep breath and felt a surge of energy through him. However, it immediately disintegrated like it had never been there, and Kion helplessly flopped on the ground like a dead fish.

Scar laughed again due to his grandnephew's idea.

Scar: Planning to use the roar Kion? Don't you realize that you have barely enough strength to stand, let alone roar! Besides, I'm invulnerable to the roar. Try as you might, you are unable to prevail, and you always will. You're just a helpless, pathetic little weakling!

As soon as he heard those words, Kion grew angrier than ever. As Scar was exiting, he stood up, despite being weak, and glared at him. He then felt a rush of energy and power course through him like never before. His eyes glowed and emitted a bright light and so did his whole body.

Just then, Scar noticed a change in the atmosphere around him and turned around, completely unaware of the events occurring behind him.

Scar: What is happ-

A bolt of lightning struck the place where Scar was standing, and it sent Scar tumbling several meters back. Kion then roared at a wall in the cave, creating a hole allowing them to escape through.

Rani looked at all of this in fear and astonishment that Kion could do this. 

Kion's eyes then returned back to normal and he signaled for Rani to follow him outside. However, Rani was still starstruck at the events that had just unfolded and stood there.

Kion: Come on Rani! Hurry! We have to leave now!

Rani: B-But what just happened?!

Kion: I don't know either, but we'll find out later. Right now we have to move! Let's go!

Kion got her running as they ran away from Scar's army. Rani could hear Scar shouting from behind them.

Scar: Get them! Don't them get away!

Kion and Rani continued running, getting further and further away from Scar. They ran until they no longer heard any voices and when they felt safe.

However, they were in an unknown location with no means of direction. They were...lost.

Rani looked at Kion and Kion looked at Rani.

Kion: So what now?

I released this chapter a couple hours after the spelling bee. I managed to get 2nd place in the schoolwide spelling bee, but I think I could've done better. I still feel very depressed and regretful. Anyways, thank you all for the nice comments. It means so much to me!

Until next chapter! Peace!