Kion and Rani: Impact of Betrayal

Chapter 9: Ready But Unsteady

Kopa: Hey Kion!

Kion turned around to see his older brother walking up to him.

Kopa: Are you feeling ok?

Kion looked at his brother with a comprehensible look which Kopa read right away.

Kion: No Kopa. I am not ok. I have to go back to the one place that I never wanted to return too.

Kopa: Well, I don't know how it will truly impact you, seeing all your old friends again, but we must do this. It's for the sake of our pride and many others.

Kion muttered silently. "Many others... including my 'friends'."

Kopa: Yes, including your "friends".

Kion heaved in a sigh filled with contempt and walked away toward his den.
Ever since the incident, Kion hadn't seen his family. However, he was scared to return because of what occurred those years ago. However, there was still a someone who stood by Kion even during these dark times.

Kion: Grandfather Mufasa.

The figure of a fully grown male lion shown in the midst of the clouds. His smile grew bigger than his face and his pride seemed evident. But that all faded when he saw the look on his grandson's face.

Mufasa: Kion, something's troubling you.

Kion: Indeed something is grandfather. Ever since I ran away from the tree, I never felt like myself. I never wished on returning, but now something has come up and I am forced to return for the sake of my pride. But I don't want to endure the pain and betrayal of seeing them again. What do I do?

Mufasa: Kion, it is rather hard to deal with the pains you've endured in the past, but you must truly understand that it is for the future of the pride and for you. You must return and meet your destiny. Remember that not all your friends betrayed you, remember the few that didn't. This evil is more powerful than you could imagine Kion. The Tree of Life is in dire need of assistance. Remember the promise you made to Queen Janna on the day of her passing.

Kion closed his eyes briefly and reminisced about that fateful day when Janna's death had taken place. She had called the Night Pride and him to the Tree of Life where she individually talked to each lion, requesting a great future for them through her. When Janna talked to Kion, she asked him to stay at the Tree of Life and she made him swear that he would protect the tree from any dangers and preserve her lineage.

Kion slowly opened his eyes, taking in the huge decision that was at stake. He did not want to return to that horrific place he dreaded, but then again, it was for the sake of him and his pride and his brother.

Kion closed his eyes once more and felt the Lions of the Past lead him to the direction in which he must go. Kion smiled weakly as the gifts of wisdom and understanding coursed through his veins like water through the roots of a plant. He then turned to his grandfather's specter and nodded at him. Mufasa's specter smiled and nodded back, then slowly faded away.

Kion turned around and headed back towards where he'd last seen his older brother. Upon arrival, he found his older brother in the midst of a clearing filled with vegetation. Kion smirked and laughed to himself as he saw Kopa making small talk with two lionesses who were giggling at his antics.

Kopa spotted his brother coming toward him and quickly turned to greet him, a friendly and dashing smile showing on his face.

Kopa: Ah lil' bro! Where have you been?!

Kion: First of all, I am not your lil' bro, and second, can I talk to you for a second in private?

Kopa's face was suddenly struck with curiosity and slight worry, but he accepted willingly. Both lions dashed off to their secret spot, leaving the two lionesses behind. The secret location was where they always go when they need some privacy, a giant plateau overlooking the heart of their pride's land. Several biomes filled with rich wildlife covered every square inch of the land. This land often reminded Kion of the Pridelands and the Tree of Life, two places which he never wanted to come to mind.

Both lions sat down next to each other and stared out into the blue sky, each one expecting the other to strike up the conversation. After some time, Kopa started.

Kopa: So, what did you want to tell me?

Kion: I've made my decision.

Kopa's expression quickly turned from curious and sedate to excited and hopeful.

Kopa: You have? What must it be?

Kion smiled faintly and stated "I will go to the Tree of Life."

Everyone, I so deeply apologize for the unimaginable delay on this story. I wasn't able to do much because I didn't know how to continue it, but I am back to where I left off and I will start posting more frequent, just as I did before. Thank you all!

Until next Chapter! Peace!