Forbidden Love

Defeated

Chapter 6: Defeated

Kion promptly left Fuli, Bunga and Ma Tembo and rushed back inside the cave where the other Pridelanders and Elephants were gathered around the motionless bodies of Simba and Nala. "Everyone, we have to go back now! The Pridelands are under attack!" he shouted in a panic, causing everyone there to look up and stare at him in surprise.

"Kion, what on Earth are you talking about?" Kiara asked in a small, broken voice, her face still stained with the tears she shed when she mourned the death of her parents.

"Don't you see what's happening, Kiara? Everything was a set-up! Janja held the Elephants hostage to lure Mum and Dad out here, and now he's used them to lure us out here so he can attack the Pridelands! Why do you think he put only Cheezi and Chungu to guard these Elephants?!"

The entire cave fell silent once again as the Pridelands Lions digested what their leader has said, murmuring amongst themselves as they discuss the sudden cunningness shown by the hyenas, of whom they've often regarded as nothing more than a bunch of pestering ne'er-do-wells.

"Kion, are you sure that's Janja's plot the whole time?" Kovu asked in a doubtful tone. "Don't you think that sort of plan is a little too... advanced for Janja and his crew? I mean, we all know the hyenas couldn't even capture a crippled gazelle despite their numbers, what makes you think that they'll have the capacity to take over the Pridelands?"

Kion didn't say anything but merely stared coldly at Kovu. "Just take a look beside you, Kovu. If they had the 'capacity' to do that to Mum and Dad, then we can't afford to doubt their capabilities of attacking the entire Pridelands. Don't forget, they have Mzingo and his parliament of vultures as allies on their side."

The Lionesses nodded and seemed to agree with Kion's reasoning. Kiara stepped forth, still bearing one important question in her mind. "If what you say is true, then we should head back to the Pridelands now. But Kion, what should we do with our parents? Are we really going to leave them here in this cave?"

Kion let out a sigh and gazed at his parents' motionless bodies. "There's no choice, we have to leave them. We'll come back for them and arrange a proper funeral once this is all over. Right now, Vitani and the other three Lionesses are the only ones defending the Pridelands, so we have to be quick and get there before Janja causes further chaos."

"I can help you all get there faster."

The Pridelanders turned to see Ma Tembo entering the cave with Fuli and Bunga at her side. "There's a shortcut not far from here that'll lead you all straight to the Pridelands. My nephew can show you where it is while the rest of my herd will take care of your King and Queen here."

Kion approached the elderly Elephant and gave her a small appreciative smile. "Thank you, Ma Tembo. We're very grateful for your help. We Pridelanders truly are very lucky to have you and your herd as our friends."

"You're very much welcomed, Kion. It's the least we could do for all the trouble you're going through," Ma Tembo replied, returning his smile. She then turned towards a much younger male Elephant, who was standing right beside Simba's body.

"Kijana, please lead them towards the shortcut behind our cave and then come back immediately so you can help me deal with the two unconscious hyenas outside our cave," she instructed to the young Elephant.

Kijana the young Elephant nodded and motioned for the Pridelanders to follow him towards the cave's exit. "This way everyone!"

The rest of the group followed behind him, not wasting any time. Kion was the last to leave the cave, taking one last look at his parents before catching up with the others.