The Lion Guard - AU

Chapter 8.2

Falling wasn't making Fuli feel any better, so it was a huge relief when she landed.  It took her a few seconds to realize what she was standing on was completely dark, like all her surroundings, but somehow there was enough light for her to see Kion, Kaz, and Bunga clearly.  She shook her head.  "Where are we?"

"I don't know."  Kion responded.

"Kion!  Fuli!"  Kiara's normal voice called while she came running up to them.  "What are you doing here?"

"Where is here?"  Kion asked, realizing that the Kiara he was talking was the real one.

"I've been here ever since Kiongozi has had my body."  Kiara explained.  "I only got out once you mentioned Udugu, and that was only for a short while."

"Does that mean that Kiongozi had us?"  Kion asked.

"You've the Mark."  Kiara explained.  "Kiongozi can't control you.  So, how did you get here?"

"Vitani's Roar."  Kion answered.  "She's in the Night Pride now."

"Oh."  Kiara replied.  "How long have I been under Kiongozi's control?  It feels like a couple moons, but I want to be sure."

"It's been over two moons."  Kion responded, looking at Kiara's stomach.  "Do you know what's going to happen once you have your cubs if you're not free from Kiongozi?"

"No."  Kiara answered.  "Why-Oh."  She saw Fuli gagging.  "Just be sick anywhere.  It seems to disappear."  Fuli nodded her thanks before turning away from the rest of them and puking.  After Fuli was finished, Kiara spoke again.  "Are those Kion's cubs?"

"Yes."  Fuli confirmed.  "And that's-"

"Kaz."  Kaz introduced himself, Bunga on his back.  "Fuli's brother."

"If you say so."  Kiara chuckled, seeing Bunga on Kaz's back.

"Kion, Kiara," Mufasa's voice called, causing Kiara and Kion to look around.  Mufasa chuckled, "you won't see me, and you're the only ones that can hear me.  Kion, you have the ability to free Kiara from Kiongozi's control, and Kiara, just trust Kion.  After you're free, you and the whole Guard will arrive back in the Pride Lands."

"Kiara," Kion looked at his sister, absolutely certain of what he had to do, placing his paw on her left shoulder, "Kiongozi will have no control over you from now on.  As the leader of the Lion Guard, I can and have freed you from his control."

Kiara's eyes lit up.  "I feel like myself again."  The ground seemed to get farther away from them after she spoke.  "What's going on?"  Before Kion could respond, they arrived back at Hakuna Matata falls.  Kiara stood up, shaking herself.  "Where are we?"

"Hakuna Matata falls."  Bunga answered.

"Kion?"  Fuli looked at her mate, worried.  "Are you okay?"

"Freeing Kiara took more out of me than I-"  Kion watched Fuli and Kiara drop to the ground.  "What's wrong?"

"Cubs!"  Fuli forced out through gritted teeth.

"Get Rafiki!"  Kiara nodded.

"Kaz?"  Kion looked to the cheetah, who was already shaking Bunga off him, and running towards Rafiki's tree, but not before colliding into the mandrill.

"I'm here!"  Rafiki laughed.  "And Kiara is free!  The cubs!  They're coming!"  Rafiki pulled out two sticks and waved Kion and the rest of the Guard off.  "We'll be fine!  Yes! Yes!  Get Kovu!"

Kion walked out, the Guard behind him.  "How does Rafiki always know where we are?"

"At least he doesn't try to scare us."  Bunga answered.

"Kion!"  Kovu came up to Kion.  "Rafiki just ran into Pride Rock and woke me up.  What's happening?"

"The cubs are early."  Kion explained.  "And Kiara's not under Kiongozi's control anymore.  I think I can stop you from being under his control ever, as well."

"I'd like that."  Kovu shuddered.  "Zira practically brainwashed me until I saw Kiara for the second time.  I need to be in control of my own body."

Kion put his paw on Kovu's shoulder.  "As the leader of the Lion Guard, I can and have freed you from Kiongozi's control."  Kion saw Kovu look at his shoulder.  "You won't have the Mark."

"The cubs have been born!"  Rafiki walked away from the falls.  "But who will lead the Guard?  No one knows!  One of Fuli's cubs for sure!"

"That monkey is...interesting."  Kovu observed.

"Mandrill!"  Rafiki corrected from far away.  Kion walked towards Fuli, and saw three cubs huddled around her stomach.

"Hi," Fuli said weakly, "the cubs are here."

"I know."  Kion chuckled.  "Do you need anything?"

"I'm a little hungry."  Fuli answered.  "But mainly thirsty."

Kion spotted moss soaked in water that Rafiki must've left for them and pushed in front of Fuli's muzzle.  "Here."

[Beau Black]

Life, life is a circle, I'm told.

And as the story unfolds

I'm feeling stronger every day.

So right here, here's where I stand.

And now I know who I am.

No longer feel turned upside down.

Deep down, maybe I knew

Someday my dreams could come true.

And everyone looking up to me

Will see who I was born to be.

It is time to face the world on my own.

It is time for something bigger than I've ever known.

No need to wonder, the choice is done. 

Now I believe I truly am the one.Now, now is the moment to shine
With all the worries behind
And prove the naysayers wrong.Deep down, maybe I knew Someday my dreams could come true.
And everyone looking up to me Will see who I was born to be.It is time to face the world on my own.
It is time for something bigger than I've ever known.
No need to wonder the choice is done.
Now I believe I truly am the one.Oh, it is time to face the world on my own.
It is time for something bigger than I've ever known.
No need to wonder the choice is done.
Now I believe I truly am the one.So is it time?
Is it time?It is time!

It was a couple weeks since Fuli and Kiara gave birth to the cubs, and Fuli figured they should name them.  "Kion?"  She called, and when her mate came to her, she spoke again.  "We should name the cubs."

"You can name the first one."  Kion said.  "You're the one that birthed them."

"What about Mkali?"  Fuli suggested, looking at the cub, who looked like a spotted lion with a white mane along his back.  "He feels really fierce."

Kion nodded before looking at the cub that looked like a cheetah with only a few spots.  "Risasi.  She looks like a leader.  You name the last one."

"Ushu."  Fuli responded.  "He looks brave."