''So we're going to the Outlands.''
''Yep.''
''Knee deep in hyena territory.''
''Uh-huh.''
''...And you aren't concerned by this?''
Kion rolled his eyes at my questions. ''Whatever things happen in the Outlands, we'll be ready to face them.''
''Of course.'' I nodded, but raised an eyebrow. ''Although I don't understand why we're coming to the heart of enemy territory.."
"Jasiri and her clan have fallen into a hole and need rescuing." He explained. "Janja and his clan have surrounded that area."
"Right…" I sighed at that. "You do you...Lion Guard defend and all...but I have someone I want to see."
"Who exactly is tha-HEY WAIT!" He shouted as I bolted off. "WHERE ARE YOU GOING!?"
''Uh...to see a friend!'' I answered as I ran.
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Reaching the volcano's center was tricker than I thought despite low security, but I somehow managed to get inside and locate a column of rock stretching out to a few feet before the straight center.
"You knew I'd come for answers." I said with an oddly dark tone, surprising myself. "Show yourself, Scar."
At my narrowed eyes, a large explosion of fire and lava caused the lion in question to emerge, albeit as a floating fiery head. The fiery head of the fallen prince smirked and got close to my face.
''You called?'' Scar asked mockingly and I sighed.
''I finally deduced who the entity that brought me here is..'' I said. ''...It was you.''
Scar floated back, surprised by my statement, but frowned.
''So you've finally found out, eh?'' Scar chuckled before turning to the direction of the Pridelands. ''I've been plotting for weeks to take back what i've long lost and get my revenge...but you're going to be quite interesting in the situation.''
''How so?'' I asked, raising a skeptical eyebrow, but what he said next was...odd, to say the least.
"Because...there was a fatal flaw in your transportation." There was? "Because I was already regularly manifested inside of this heap of rock, my existence and your life were indirectly tied together, meaning one cannot exist without the other."
..So we're essentially Piccolo and Kami pre-fusion?
"You could say it like that." He grumbled, knowing full well I am aware of his presence in my mind. "Although this does come at a cost."
"The roar's winds are strong enough to extinguish almost any fire...including my own." He revealed, then growled. "Ever since those damn hyenas mauled me to death, I have been nothing BUT A FIERY HEAD! A BLASTED HEAD!"
"Well, it could have been worse…"
"However, that's not all." He continued. "As soon as that fire is extinguished, I fade from existence...and you die."
So don't let Kion use the roar on you, right.
"Truth be told, Connor, the reason why I never order them to attack you is the direct link between our lives...but yours might change."
"How so, your darkness?" I asked with a genuinely curious tone.
"They haven't told you this...but you are aware of the events that transpire with Zira, correct? At my nod, the fallen prince smirked. "Kiara isn't the only one who has to stop that little war."
Hardly little, but indulge me...who else is going to help stop it?
"To answer your question, the one who has to be the other half of the peacekeepers..
" The next thing he said shocked me to the core.
"Is you."
W-What?
"Because of your involvement in conflict, the original setting of events in this timeline are being reshaped to suit your appearances."
"But how do I save not only the Pridelands, but the Outlands..with KIARA!?" I shouted. "I could just as well do it on my own!"
"Hmhmhm...such heroism and noble attitude towards protection and defending clouds your own judgement." He scoffed. "Without co-operation, everything you know in this world will die...including the two of us. Under conditions harsher than mine, revenge, obsession and bloodthirstiness placing the Pridelands in rui-"
But I quickly stormed off, unwilling to accept it all.
It is futile to resist the events of the future, Connor! Everything must be set in motion on either how this timeline wants it...or how Zira wants it.
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I sighed heavily as I was approaching The Lion Guard, who were helping some hyenas out of a volcano hole...from what it looked like.
Quietly sitting next to one of the female hyenas as she spoke to Kion, she noticed my curious frown and yelped, jumping back in surprise.
"Oh!" I blinked at her embarrassed expression. "Sorry if I was a little jumpy. I never knew of any other male cubs belonging to the Pridelands."
"You think the royals OWN me like they do the kingdom? I asked, raising an eyebrow at her widened eyes.
"That's not what she meant, Shujaa." Kion interjected. "Shujaa, meet Jasiri. Jasiri, meet Shujaa.''
''The pleasure WOULD be all mine, but I am still a bit cautious towards the presence of hyenas.'' I shrugged. ''Besides, I have found something...interesting about myself.''
''Really?'' Kion asked. ''What is it..?''
Well...time to break it to him. No doubt they would have been determined to find out more in the future.
''Kion...it's time I told you who I am..and what I am.''
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So...you're in my head, unable to kill me and are forced to help me through this.
I hate it as much as you do, but there's no choice…
Yeah, sure, why not?
''So what did you mean by 'what I am'?'' Bunga asked in understandable confusion. ''Aren't you a lion?''
I gulped. Time to reveal it.
''...No.''
''...Huh?''
The Guard looked at me in wonder before a certain princess' voice was heard.
''You look like any normal lion to me, Shujaa.'' Kiara pointed out, jogging to my side before doing a smirk that would make Vegeta jealous. ''You HAVE to be lying…''
But at my silence, everyone gasped.
''Wait...so...what are you?'' Kion's eyes widened in surprise. ''If you aren't a lion, then what are you?''
''Sit down, kiddy, the grown up is about to talk.'' I mocked, looking at Kiara while doing so, the princess growling in a mix of seriousness and playfulness. ''Come on, go, go.''
The lioness huffed before sitting next to her brother.
''Now…'' I sighed. ''My name is Connor Emery. I am a thing called a human from where i'm actually from. Terrible and brutal species, but manageable. I was transported to your world by a mysterious entity...why, I am not too sure.''
Tch. Typical, not spilling the beans of my identity to instill fear inside of them.
Well, Scar, unlike you, I want to have their faith and trust.
''Before you even think of accusing me of deceit.'' I coughed as Kiara was about to speak, causing the princess to quickly shut her mouth. ''I have one request for all of you.''
The group's silent nods prompted my smile, relieved, before I frowned again. ''Do not refer to me by my real name and don't tell ANYONE about this.''
The Guard nodded again, but Kiara rolled her eyes.
''I'm not going to like this…'' Kiara looked at me. ''I won't tell anyone else about your real name and home, but I WILL refer to you as 'Connor' when in private. Understand?''
I was about to retorted, but groaned. This lioness will be the end of me.
Let's hope that doesn't happen or we'll both perish.
''Very well.'' I facepalmed at her triumphant laugh. ''I'm serious, Kiara…''
''Yeah, yeah, so am I.'' She said in visible annoyance. The Guard, understandably not wanting to get involved with a supposed argument between me and the lioness, which was more common than they'd like, they wisely exited the lair, leaving the two of us. ''Listen, Connor, I am NOT going to take orders from you just because you're from another world. In fact, that gives me even LESS of a reason to trust you.''
I balked at her ignorance, but realized that I didn't expect anything less. ''Fair enough. If I knew that there was someone from another world entirely under my nose this entire time, i'd be quite distrusting of them too.''
''However…'' She continued, rubbing her chin, ''I do think this could be a chance for us to get to actually sit down and know each other better.''
I blinked. To..what?
It seems that my great-niece is starting to see why you've been acting...off, per say.
Evidently.
''Wait, wait.'' I raised a brow. ''You're wanting to actually get to know me?''
''I'm royalty, so like it or not, I have to get to know the lesser organisms of this land.'' She explained, her pride crawling in her tone.
Silence. Silence for almost two minutes before I smiled.
''Well then.'' I said. ''Let's begin, shall we?''
Here we are, people! The time has come! Execute Order Sixty-Si- I mean, it's time for Shujaa and Kiara to sort their differences!
Next: Two Worlds! As Shujaa and Kiara settle things out between them in an attempt to ease tensions and try to get along, a tradition is held recognizing the friendship between elephants and lions! But when bees get in the way, the human-turned-lion will have to team up with The Lion Guard to save...THE UKUMBUSHO!