Legends of the Lion Guard: The Dark Prophecy (Chapter 11)

Chapter 11 is the eleventh chapter of Legends of the Lion Guard: The Dark Prophecy.
==Synopsis==
Kion begins to learn Askari's vast knowledge of the Roar while Reth's Pride launches a sadistic attack on Saumu's Pounce.
==Transcript ==
“The Roar has great power, and if you control your emotions, it can be precise as well. Do you see that pillar of rocks, close to the edge of the escarpment, with the large rock on top?” Askari asked.
Kion nodded.
“If your emotions are focused and controlled, you should be able to levitate and destroy it with ease,” Askari said.
“Really?” Kion asked.
“Yes. Stay calm, focus, and roar,” Askari instructed.
Kion's eyes sharpened with resoluteness and perseverance.
He focused his attention on the pillar, then unleashed the Roar of the Elders. The Roar's force raised the boulder into the air, where it shook under the power. Then, it exploded into smaller rock fragments which hovered above the ground briefly and then fell to the ground. Kion's eyes widened and his pelt tingled from shock. He had done it.
“Well done, Kion. You've mastered that skill quickly,” Askari praised.
“Thank you. I've had some help learning to stay calm. I want to learn more,” Kion replied.
“Very well, Kion. I will teach you everything that the Roar can do,” Askari replied.
Meanwhile, Reth's Pride had advanced through the Mountain Pass, and were approaching Marsh Forest.
“Now, it's time to launch the attack to weaken the Lion Guard,” Reth said.
“Who are we taking down this time, Reth?” Slash asked.
“I heard there's a large group of cats living within this forest. That's who we're going after today,” Reth announced.
“We're attacking cats?” Ekene asked.
“Yes, we're attacking cats. They may outnumber us, but they're also weaker. None of them will stand a chance,” Reth said.
“What about the Lion-“ Slash asked. 
“By the time the Lion Guard gets here, we'll have already caused damage to those cats. They can't win against us,” Reth interjected.
“What are we waiting for?” Kariuki asked.
“Follow me, everyone,” Reth ordered.
Reth stalked forward into the clearing. His eyes scanned his surroundings. 
Saumu, Auri, Tafiti, Jurni, and Addae were settled close to a thicket of bushes. 
Thambo, Folami and Haiba were stretched out in a patch of sunshine, watching Kea and Zera play with a moss ball. Mrija and Jamila were settled underneath a shady tree.
As Reth and his pride approached, the gathered cats exchanged startled glances amongst themselves, and began quietly whispering to each other, their eyes wide with anticipation and worry.
Reth cleared his throat, his eyes scanning over the assembled cats.
“I've come to speak to your leader,” Reth announced.
Saumu and Auri exchanged a glance.
"May I... may I help you?" Saumu questioned uneasily.
"Good day. My presence need not worry you long, for I humbly request you give up most of your hunting territory to us," Reth responded, slyly glancing at the smaller cat before him.
"I'm sorry, but we can't do that. We have kits to feed!" Saumu protested, his heart pounding as the intimidation from the lion began to seep in.
"Let me repeat myself. We need your land. My pride only just came here after moons of traveling, must you be so rude?" Reth retorted, a growl rising in the back of his throat.
"Saumu, I don't like the sound of this," Auri whispered.
Gritting his teeth, Saumu fought for a response.
"Look, lion. I understand you and your pride might be exhausted. But if you take most of our land, our kits might not survive the next cold season, not to mention our elders. This is final. Take your leave," Saumu said.
“Very well, then. We might as well shelter somewhere else,” Reth growled.
Saumu's expression grew anxious and panicked as he noticed the venom in Reth's tone.
Reth stalked away, looking down at the ground. At the entrance, he stopped, focusing one eye at the cats.
"My pride! Attack!" Reth declared. Whirling around, he launched himself at Saumu and slashed a massive paw down onto the cat's leader's face. Saumu went flying backwards into a thicket. 
“Saumu!“ Auri shrieked.
She glanced around at the assembled cats, a look of horror in her expression.
“Everyone! Protect the little ones and the elders, get them to safety inside the den and prepare to fight to defend our home! Now!” Auri screeched, her tail lashing from side to side.
As the cats spread out, pelts bristling and claws unsheathed, Kariuki stalked forward, his gaze focused on Zera and Kea, who were huddled close together, frozen in fear and shock. Kariuki advanced towards them, a menacing look in his eyes, and they looked up at him, with wide, frightened eyes.
Kariuki charged forward, knocking Zera away from Kea, and pinning her underneath his paw, slowly pressing down on her throat. With a yowl, Jurni charged forward, and leapt at him, her claws digging into his pelt. Kariuki turned, throwing Jurni off, and sending her to the ground. Jurni raised her head, her eyes wide with horror as Kariuki advanced towards the kits. 
“Please! Leave the kits alone!” Jurni begged desperately, as she struggled to raise herself up.
Kariuki chuckled.
“There's nothing you cats can do to stop us. We will always be stronger,” Kariuki taunted.
Before he could strike at Zera and Kea, Addae and Mbamba leapt in front of them, hissing and baring their teeth.
“You won't hurt these kits!” Addae snarled.
“You think your little group is enough to stop us? You don't stand a chance,” Kariuki retorted.
Kariuki lunged towards Addae, aiming his claws at Addae's throat. Swiftly, Addae turned, slicing a paw at Kariuki's muzzle and leaving scratches. Mbamba slid underneath Kariuki's belly, raking it with unsheathed claws. Kariuki swung around, and kicked Mbamba, sending him towards a tree.
Auri and Farzeen were facing off back-to-back against Alasiri, who was advancing towards Dani and Thambo.
Unbeknownst to the pride, Ullu and Cara had arrived at the battlefield, drawn by the shrieks and yowls from Saumu's Pounce.
Their eyes widened in alarm and panic as they took in the scene before them.
"The cats are in trouble!" Cara shrieked.
"So many of them are injured... is that Saumu on the ground bleeding?” Ullu questioned in disbelief.
Cara nodded. 
“This is awful. Purely awful! We have to warn the Lion Guard and Night Pride at once!" Cara stated.
"Right. Let's go!" Ullu replied.
She and Cara flew off, their feathers ruffled with panic and horror.
Meanwhile, the Lion Guard, along with the Night Pride and Kingiza were patrolling Ciso River. 
“Something doesn't feel right today,” Bunga commented.
Rani glanced at him, opening her mouth to respond before Ono spoke up, from his perch on Beshte's back.
"No, hold on. I agree with Bunga. There's just something wrong...it's almost as if I can feel it in the air,” Ono remarked.
At Ono's words, a tense and disturbed silence overcame the patrol as they exchanged agitated and stressed glances.
Beshte cleared his throat, breaking the tension in the air.
“Has anyone seen Kion? It's not like him to be away from a patrol this long,” Beshte commented.
"I'm sure he's fine, Beshte. Don't worry. Nirmala did say his healing session would take a while," Fuli said reassuringly, though her eyes were lit with concern.
“What if Kion's in trouble and he's afraid to tell us?” Bunga asked.
“I'm sure Kion would tell us if he was in trouble, Little B,” Beshte replied.
"But Kion's not here, so..." Bunga countered, skeptical. 
Beside him, Mhina's eyes were narrowed in unease and concern as he listened to the discussion around him, his claws scraping against the earth underneath his paws.
Come on, Mhina. Stop trodding on your own tail. Kion is fine, surely he has to be. But Beshte is right, we haven't seen him. Oh, please don't tell me Kion's in danger and we don't know...
No! I mustn't believe that nonsense. Kion is Kion. He's strong. He'll get through today.
Something doesn't feel right, though... something really doesn't feel right.
Watching him, Kingiza's eyes narrowed in concern as he noticed Mhina's anxious state. 
“Mhina? Everything okay?” Kingiza asked.
Startled out of his musings, Mhina turned towards him, a look of worry and anxiety still reflected in his eyes.
“It's nothing, Kingiza. I'm fine,” Mhina said, his true feelings betrayed by the concern evident in his tone.
Suddenly, Ullu and Cara flew up to them, their eyes frantic and their feathers ruffled.
“What is it?! What's happened?!” Rani asked, her tone growing in distress as she observed their shaken and worried states.
"Saumu's Pounce is under attack by Reth's Pride. So many cats are injured, some are bleeding, and some have retreated from the fight," Ullu blurted out frantically. 
"If no action is taken, the kits and other lives will be lost! Reth is winning!” Cara added despondently.
At Cara's words, a feeling of horror and dread overcame Rani, and she forced herself to remain steady on her paws.
"Baliyo... you and Anga g-go find Kion right now. M-Meet us in M-Marsh Forest. Lives are counting on us,” Rani ordered, struggling to keep her tone steady.
“You got it, sis,” Baliyo said. 
“Anga Lenga!” Anga added as she and Baliyo rushed off.
Rani glanced at the Lion Guard, Kingiza, and the Night Pride.
“L-Let's go. N-Now. A-Animals will die if we don't get there in time,” Rani said shakily.
She glanced at the members of the Night Pride.
“With strength and respect!” Rani called.
“Night Pride protect!” The rest of the Night Pride chorused.
Fuli glanced at Bunga, Beshte, and Ono.
“Until the Pride Lands' end!” Fuli exclaimed.
“Lion Guard defend!” Bunga, Beshte, and Ono shouted.
The Lion Guard, Night Pride, and Kingiza began to rush towards Marsh Forest.
At this point, Anga and Baliyo had reached a grassy field. Anga was scanning the ground from above, while Baliyo searched below her.
“Do you see him yet, Anga?“ Baliyo asked.
"Not yet..." Anga shouted down. Her eyes scanned a tall rock escarpment ahead. Then, she caught a glimpse of a golden-furred lion walking at the base of two tall rocks.
"Found him! He's at those tall spire-like rocks," Anga called to Baliyo.
"Cikha Escarpment. Come on!" Baliyo exclaimed.
He and Anga began to hurry towards Cikha Escarpment.
When they arrived, they saw Kion restlessly pacing back and fourth, his tail twitching from side to side.
“Kion!” Anga called.
At her exclamation, Kion glanced up, startled by the arrival of the two of them.
“Guys? What's wrong?” Kion questioned.
Anga landed in front of him, her feathers ruffled with anxiousness.
“It's bad, Kion. You need to come. Now. Reth and his lions are after Saumu's Pounce, it's going to be a practical bloodbath. So many cats are injured and weakened already. The kits are in danger of dying!” Anga exclaimed.
At Anga's words, Kion felt a sense of alarm and consternation overcome him.
"WHAT?" Kion screeched, his eyes wide with horror. "Reth's Pride? Attacking innocent cats? Possibly about to murder kits? No... I can't let that happen! We have to stop this bloodshed, right now. If it takes me tearing Reth down to win, then I'm going to tear him down." Kion snarled.
He, Anga, and Baliyo began to rush towards Marsh Forest.
When they arrived, they saw the Lion Guard, Kingiza, and the Night Pride locked in combat with Reth and his pride. 
Fuli, Rani, and Auri were battling Alasiri, desperately struggling to defend Kea and Zera, who huddled underneath a bush, their eyes wide with terror and fear.
Though still weakened, Auri managed to doge an attack from Alasiri, sinking her teeth into Alasiri's foreleg. Alasiri swung a paw towards her, knocking Auri towards a tree, where she lay, unconscious.
"Pathetic cat," Alasiri muttered, heading back into the battle.
The rest of the Lion Guard, Kingiza, and the Night Pride were still fighting against Reth's Pride, helped by the few uninjured members of Saumu's Pounce remaining. The remaining members of the pounce were sheltering underneath a bush, their eyes wide with fear and horror as they observed the battle scene.
Kion's gaze was frozen in alarm and terror as he observed the deadly scene before him.
“We need to defeat Reth's Pride. Lives are depending on us,” Kion said.
His gaze was drawn to Mhina, who was battling Kariuki and Slash. Kion felt a sense of terror and dread overcome him, and he immediately rushed towards the fight, stumbling on his paws in his haste to reach Mhina. Anga and Baliyo hurried off, going to help Sâhasí and Surak fight against Reth. 
Mhina's eyes were hardened with rage and hatred as he glared at Kariuki.
“I've waited for the chance to avenge your attack during the battle, and now it's arrived,” Mhina growled.
“We've been waiting to, little leopon. We'd be happy to give you more scars,” Kariuki snarled, lunging towards Mhina, aiming a paw at Mhina's throat. Mhina dodged his paw, feeling it scrape against his fur. 
“You'd have to be faster than that to get the better of me again,” Mhina taunted.
Simultaneously, Slash and Kariuki charged towards Mhina, pinning him to the ground. Mhina struggled to kick upwards and throw them off, but their combined weight pressed down against him.
"You... cannot... kill me!" Mhina rasped.
"Sweetheart, I'm afraid you're dead wrong.” Slash laughed. "Your show of dominance here was just a little lie. You're weak. You're scarred. And it was about time you accepted your fate..."
"You won't win, Slash!" Mhina hissed.
"Big words for one so small." Slash retorted. She swung a paw up, preparing to end the leopon's life.
“NO!” Kion roared as he charged forward, shoving Mhina aside and feeling Slash's paw connect hard against his shoulder, her claws sinking into his fur.
Kion immediately collapsed on the ground, blood dripping from his shoulder as he grunted, scrambling back onto his paws.
Mhina's eyes had a unique twine in them. "K-Kion..." he stuttered.
"You fool!" Kariuki snarled, throwing himself onto Kion. However, the lion clawed him under his eye, and he leapt back off of him.
"Mhina! Want to go two on two?" Kion called out.
"You betcha, mate." Mhina agreed. Immediately, the two rose up and met the challenge of Kariuki and Slash, who fought them relentlessly, their hearts hungry for blood.
Swiftly, Mhina turned, slipping underneath Slash, and tearing at her underbelly with unsheathed claws, leaving deep scratches. He rolled out from underneath her, his eyes gleaming with determination. Slash growled, sinking her teeth into Mhina's ear, and and pulling hard.
Mhina shrieked, alerting Kion's attention to him.
"Back off!" Kion screamed, headbutting Slash onto her chest and then raising his head to collide with her muzzle. Dazed, Slash stepped backwards.
Fighting the sharp pain in his shoulder, Kion thrust himself forward, slashing a paw at Kariuki's muzzle, leaving scratches.
Kariuki chuckled, his eyes alight with anger and hatred.
"Do you honestly believe you can win this? We've proven that we aren't playing games with you, lion. Everything at the Tree of Life will be destroyed, and there is nothing you can do about it!" Kariuki taunted, his eyes manic.
“You already hurt someone that I'm in lo-I care about before, I'm not standing by and letting you destroy the Tree of Life,” Kion growled.
“You'd be better off surrendering now, little lion. We won't be defeated so easily,” Kariuki retorted.
Mhina leapt forward to stand at Kion's side, his eyes ablaze with fury and anger.
“Neither will we. You and your pride will be defeated. You will never destroy the Tree of Life,” Mhina roared.
“That sounds like a challenge. I look forward to facing you again, leopon,” Kariuki replied. 
In the middle of the clearing, Reth was facing off against Sâhasí and Surak, along with Anga and Baliyo.
Together, Surak and Sâhasí charged towards Reth, roughly slamming into him, and sending him collapsing to the ground. Reth growled, and slashed a paw towards Sâhasí's muzzle in retaliation, missing him. 
Surak roared loudly, the sound echoing around the clearing of trees.
Reth growled, a look of anger and hatred reflected in his eyes.
“Very well, you win. This time,” Reth stalked away, preparing to join his pride. However, he stopped, casting one eye back on the crowd in front of him.
"But mark my words. If you thought this attack was morbid, it's only going to get more morbid from there. We will be back, and soon enough, this territory will be marked in blood. Take this as a warning - one wrong move, and all of you will fall,” Reth hissed.
With a small roar, he and his pride finally retreated.
Slowly, Mhina and Kion moved towards one another as the others congregated nearby.
As Mhina took in Kion's injuries, a deep feeling of relief, horror, and shock overcame him, and he felt a tightening in his chest.
He moved closer, pressing himself against Kion's pelt, feeling Kion tremble slightly against him.
“You'll be okay, Kion, I promise,” Mhina whispered soothingly.
Kion smiled weakly at Mhina, feeling a warm ache of affection swell in his chest.
“Thank you for being here for me,” Kion murmured.
“I will always be here for you,” Mhina replied.
He pressed his cheek against Kion's flank, feeling Kion relax against him.
Suddenly, Tafiti cleared her throat pointedly.
"Excuse me, Kion. You're bleeding from your shoulder, and I've got a poultice. Allow me to treat your shoulder wound," Tafiti said.
"Oh, right, sorry. Have the others been treated?” Kion inquired anxiously.
“Yes, Kion. I've just finished,” Tafiti said reassuringly. 
“Okay. Thanks, Tafiti,” Kion said, his eyes clouding over with exhaustion.
Tafiti approached him, glancing at Mhina.
“Do you need treatment too?” Tafiti asked.
“I can wait. Treat Kion first,” Mhina insisted.
“Do you want to wait over there? This won't take long.” Tafiti replied.
“I'm staying where I am. I'm not leaving him again,” Mhina said firmly.
“Okay, you can stay with him,” Tafiti said, her expression softening as she noticed the affection in Mhina's gaze as he watched Kion.
She crouched down, and began to gently spread the poultice onto Kion's shoulder. 
Kion grimaced, and Mhina shifted closer, pressing his flank against Kion's.
“I've been so worried about you all day. I'm really glad you're safe,” Mhina whispered.
“I'm glad you're safe too, I don't know what I'd do if you got hurt again,” Kion admitted.
Mhina leaned closer, pressing his muzzle against Kion's cheek, feeling his tail entwine with Kion's.
“I'm always going to be by your side, I promise. You mean a lot to me,” Mhina said quietly.
"You mean a lot to me too, Mhina. Whatever happens, I won't let anything tear us apart. Never,” Kion promised.
== Appearances==
===Characters===
*Max Charles as Kion
* Cade Sutton as Mhina
*Joshua Rush as Bunga
*Diamond White as Fuli
*Bryana Salaz as Anga
*Atticus Shaffer as Ono
*Dusan Brown as Beshte
* Peyton Elizabeth Lee as Rani 
* Hudson Yang as Baliyo / Danyal 
* Lou Diamond Phillips as Surak / Saumu
*Miki Yamashita as Auri / Nirmala (mentioned)
* Marieve Herington as Jamila
* Vyvan Pham as Ullu
*Aaron Daniel Jacob as Kingiza
*Bailey Gambertoglio as Aminia / Ameena
*Kari Wahlgren as Tafiti
*Paget Brewster as Jurni
*Bobby Moynihan as Addae
*J. Elaine Marcos as Dani
*Eric Bauza as Mbamba / Obayana
*Grace Young as Ãnanda 
*James Sie as Sâhasí 
*Erica Luttrell as Folami
*Mallory Low as Cara
*Justin Hires as Reth
*Savannah Smith as Slash
*Jorge Diaz as Ekene / Ojore 
*Meghan Strange as Alasiri
*Johnny Rees as Kariuki
*Michael Luwoye as Askari
*Sophie Reynolds as Imarisha / Mahiri
*John Rhys-Davies as Kolobe
*David Kaye as Shamir
*Ai-Chan Carrier as Kea / Zera
*Carla Hall as Mrija
*Toks Olagundoye as Keesha
*Lin-Manuel Miranda as Farzeen (cameo)
* David S. Jung as Haiba
* Erica Lindbeck as Tshweni
* Jaime Camil as Thambo
* Kate Micucci as Zibara
===Groups===
*The Lion Guard
*Reth's Pride
*Night Pride
*Saumu's Pounce
===Locations===
*Tree of Life 
**Mountain Pass (mentioned)
**Ciso River
**Marsh Forest
**Cikha Escarpment
* Pride Lands (mentioned)
===Animals ===
*Lions
*Leopons
*Honey Badgers
*Cheetahs
*Eagles
*Egrets
*Owls
*Pallas' Cats
*Leopard Cats
*Fishing Cats
*Black-Footed Cats
*African Golden Cats
*Rusty-Spotted Cats
*Wildcats
Category:Fanfiction
Category:Chapters
Category:Legends of the Lion Guard: The Dark Prophecy
Category:Princess ava15
Category:Legends of the Lion Guard: The Dark Prophecy Chapters
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