The sun slowly arose from its slumber, shedding a warm glow across the Pridelands. The cool breeze rustling the grass made the morning peaceful. Kion almost forgot what peaceful mornings felt like.

Kion quietly sits on Flat Ridge Rock, facing the direction of Pride Rock. He had been sitting there for a couple hours already, and had gotten little sleep due to a little planning with Vitani. But Kion arrived earlier for a reason, his old friends Bunga, Fuli, Beshte, and Ono invaded his thoughts. All Kion wanted was to just forget about what he did to them, the guilt was still heavy on his mind, but he knew he couldn't undo what he did. But it all came down to one reason to Kion, if his own father didn't banish him, or if he even told Kion himself that he was to leave the Pridelands, maybe Kion's friends would still be here. Maybe he wouldn't hate so much. Maybe he could have walked away from this. The anger and hate for his father plagued his heart, he would one day get his revenge on him and anyone who turned their back on him.

After waiting for a couple more minutes, a figure in the distance caught his eye from the direction of the Outlands. It slowly got bigger as it neared. As Kion suspected, the figure was that of a lioness. But Kion was a little shocked when he realized who the lioness was. The lioness was now just a few yards away from the rock Kion was currently sitting on.

Kion looked at the lioness and is the first to speak. "What are you doing here Vitani? Where is Cyrus, Kovu and Zuni? They were supposed to be here before sunrise. Does Zira know you're here?"

Vitani casually walked up to the rock and jumped up next to Kion. "Relax Kion, and one question at a time."

Kion rolls his eyes. "Fine whatever. First question, what are you doing here?"

Vitani sat down next to Kion, both bodies touching. "Isn't it obvious Kion, I'm going to help with the plan. Not mother's plan, but with your plan. And yes mother knows that I'm here."

Puzzled, Kion looked at Vitani. "What did you say to Zira?"

"I just merely said that our chances would be better. No idea how it passed though."

A deep voice startled the two lions. "Why are you two that close to each other!?"

Both the lions broke apart and turned to face three other lions. Two of the lions, Zuni and Cyrus, looked A little bit shocked. The third lion, Kovu, looked furious as he glared at Kion and Vitani.

Vitani glared back at Kovu. Vitani jumps down from the rock, yelling at him. "Mind your own business Kovu!"

Kion jumps down from the rock after her. "Vitani, lower your voice, don't forget that we are in enemy territory."

Recovering from the shock, Zuni walks over to the trio. "Which brings us to a very important question..."

Before Zuni can finish, and to everyone's surprise, especially Zuni's, Cyrus turns to Kion. "Got any ideas on how we go about our mission Kion?"

All eyes turn to Kion.

Kion takes a deep breath before answering. "Actually, Vitani and I made a plan last night."

"Is that so? Alright, let's hear it."

"I know that we're supposed to take Simba out, but there is no way we will be able to, and make it out alive. Especially since every animal in the Pridelands are going to be on edge already."

Zuni scoffed but didn't say anything.

"This mission is pretty much suicide. We need to be smart about this and we should leave Simba alone-" Kion is interrupted by both Kovu and Zuni.

"But our plan is to Kill him!" Kovu snarled.

Suddenly, Zuni starts getting in Kion's face, spitting and yelling at him. "You traitor! I bet your still with those lousy Pridelanders and probably just setting a trap for us!"

Kion was getting pissed at the lioness's attitude and accusations. He finally slaps her across the face, claws extended, snarling.

"Enough! Let me finish talking or else I'll kill you myself and save the Pridelanders the trouble."

All eyes widened at the sudden aggression.

"I want Simba dead just as much as you do but we can't do that unless we have a plan, which I do!" Kion says to Zuni who is treating a large scratch across her face.

Kion calmed down a little bit and continued his plan.

"As I was saying, we should not go after Simba, but his three strongest lionesses. We take them out, we weaken the Pridelands defenses. And some point later on, we can really take Simba down without worrying about his lionesses."

To Kion's surprise, Cyrus looked like she was considering it. She finally responds.

"That's actually a good strategy, I assume you have a plan already if you and Vitani were discussing it last night?"

"Of course, but it's not something you're going to like. I'm leading this mission." Kion responds.

Kovu snarles at Kion. "You're crazy! What makes you think that your suddenly in charge and can lead us?"

Before Kion can even react, Vitani jumps in between Kion and Kovu, and for the very first time, Vitani bares her teeth at Kovu.

"You idiot, Kion knows the Pridelands better than anyone of us here, and not to mention that he has lead before. Don't forget that he was once leader of the Lion Guard. He has a solid plan and the more we keep bickering about this, the longer it's going to take to complete our mission." Vitani finally finishes her short speech.

Kovu, Cyrus, and Zuni were dumbfounded and just stared wordlessly at Vitani, astonished that she snapped at her brother, and for Kion. Surprisingly, Kion himself was not surprised at the little outburst.

Kion casually steps forward and breaks the silence.

"Thank you Vitani. Now, anyone have any problem with me leading now?" He growled as he said the last sentence.

The three lions, who are still shocked, shake their heads. Cyrus, Zira's second in command, was intimitated by the couple's sudden aggression. They had never acted like this before, at least not together.

Kion continued his plan, again.

"The plan is actually quite simple, accomplishing it is going to be a lot harder."

Vitani stepped forth and added, "We are going to create a distraction to catch the attention of the lionesses who should be patrolling. They will take us to Pride Rock."

Kovu, Cyrus, and Zuni all gasp at her words. Eyes widening and all preparing to protest. But before they can, Kion fills in the blanks.

"We need to make this as realistic as possible so Cyrus... You, Vitani and I are going to be the ones who distract the lionesses by attacking one of the herds. When they see us, no doubt they will think that we are hunting and confront us about it."

Cyrus obviously was no longer as confident as she used to be for she accepted Kion leading this mission without question. But she did have one small question...

"But won't the lionesses just kill us?"

As if Kion was expecting the question, he had an almost instant, but long response.

"Not when I'm here. Their gullible enough to leave me alive. They don't see me as threat. At least not yet, and as long as you're with me, they won't kill you."

Zuni speaks up, her attitude towards Kion never leaving. "Alright, we'll play along. Who are Simba's strongest lionesses?"

"Kiah, Greeshmi, and Creda. I believe that you probably know them already?"

Zuni looks down at her paws for a minute, obviously in deep thought. She looks back at Kion with narrowed eyes.

"Not as well as you'd think."

Vitani spoke for Kion. "Well it doesn't matter now. But when we are taken to Pride Rock, you and Kovu will create a little bit of chaos."

The way Vitani and Kion took turns saying part of the plan, indicated that they really put some thought into it.

It was Kion's turn to speak now.

"My father will send the lionesses to go after you. When they do, head to the Gorge. You and Kovu will have a better advantage over there, and might be able to set a trap for them."

Both Kovu and Zuni looked at each other in shock.

"How is this supposed to be a better plan than Zira's?"

Kion looked at the two, hatred for the both of them rising. Vitani could sense it and to everyone's surprise, she rubbed her head under Kion's chin to get him to calm down a little. Kion took a deep breath and slowly let it out, the anger that was building up, slowly dispersed.

Dumbfounded, Kovu and Zuni just stared at the two. Vitani looked at the two astonished faces and realized what she did. Vitani's cheeks went a little red with embarrassment.

"It's the best way to get him to calm down."

Kion shook his head and turns towards the same shocked faces.

"Look... I know this is risky, but so is attacking Simba openly. If the plan fails, I'll take the blame from Zira. If you guys have a better plan, I'd like to hear it."

Kovu didn't look at Kion, instead he turned to Cyrus.

"Your the leader here, what do you say?"

Kion stared straight at Kovu with murderous eyes. He let out a little growl, not intending for Kovu to hear. Unfortunately, Kovu heard him and turned to face Kion. It was clear that there was a fight that was about to break out. Both Cyrus and Zuni stepped in between them before anything can happen.

Cyrus faces Kovu and let out a deep breath.

"We will go with Kion's plan."

Zuni, already facing Kion, stared menacingly at him.

"Alright, you win Kion. But I'm not taking orders from you. I will only follow Vitani's orders since she is the only other one that knows the plan."

Vitani, who had regained her natural color back, glared at Zuni.

"Alright Zuni, if that's how you're going to act, I order you to follow any order that Kion gives you."

Zuni is dumbstruck and Kion smirks at her frustration.

Kovu suddenly looks a little panicked. All eyes turned towards him, as he was speaking.

"Wait a minute, what about your sister, Kiara?"

Now it was Kion and Vitani's turn to be shocked. Kion's expression changes from a shocked expression, to an angered expression, spitting out his next words.

"I could care less about what happens to that brat." Suddenly, Kion turns towards Kovu with suspicion.

"What do you care about what happens to my sister anyways."

"I don't know. I..I mean she is kinda nice."

Kovu suddenly realizes his mistake, and can't talk or think straight. With ever word, he turns a little red.

"I..I..I mean she's nothing but a dirty little Pridelander"

Kovu was really red now and Vitani was trying to hold back a little laugh. Kion did not find this funny at all and just wished that Kovu would stop taking.

"Just shut up Kovu before you damage your reputation any further."

Kovu fell silent and looked at his paws. Kion looked around and noticed that the sun was still low, it was obviously still morning.

"Alright, we will make our move in few hours when the sun is at its highest. All the leaders of all the herds will be gathered at Pride Rock than."

There was a nod of agreement from the group. Kion was thrilled that he is leading this mission. It has been a long time since he has lead anyone on a mission.

This is just the first step.

—Later—

Later that day, the sun was finally at its highest. After waiting for nearly four hours, it was nice to get up and start moving.

Just as planned, Cyrus, Vitani and Kion, were on the move. They easily tracked down a small group of about five gazelle, just to the West of Flat Ridge Rock. It's time to put their plan into motion. All three of the lions gave chase to the gazelle, giving their best effort to actually try and catch them, making it look like they were really hunting.

It didn't take very long before Vitani noticed a small group of lionesses, charging in their direction from the big pointy rock, known as Pride Rock in the distance.

"Kion, we have company."

Still giving chase to the gazelle, Kion looked over his shoulder to see four lionesses.

Turning his attention to Vitani and Cyrus, he calls out, "Alright, get ready for a small tussle."

Immediately, the three lions stop and turn to face the four lionesses. They get into a fighting position, waiting for the lionesses' arrival.

The four lionesses stop in front of the three, seemingly not surprised to see them. But there was a gasp from one of the lionesses when her eyes focused on Kion.

She stepped forward, both Kion and Cyrus recognized her as Greeshmi, one of the three of Simba's strongest lionesses. She is a large muscular lioness and has light tan colored fur, with a small darker tan, tuft of hair on her head, and blue eyes.

"I never thought you'd return, Prince Kion. But you know the penalty of coming back here."

Immediately both Vitani and Cyrus, who flanked either side of Kion, growled in response. Kion himself only smirked.

"I know you won't do it Greeshmi. You know this yourself."

Greeshmi let out a low growl, as did the rest of the lionesses. Kion's smirk disappeared, and was replaced with bared teeth, growling at Greeshmi. Kion makes the first move and leaps at her, the intention to kill.

The rest of the lionesses join in, charging at one another. Kion wrestled with Greeshmi, clawing at any part of her that he could reach.

Kion was fighting blindly as his mane was getting in his face, covering his eyes. Pain shot through Kion's ear as Greeshmi hooked his left ear. He could feel that it had split and could feel the warm sticky blood, running down the side of his face.

He howled in pain and struck as hard as he could at Greeshmi with claws stretched out as far as they could go. His claws collided with flesh, feeling his claws tear through it with ease. Greeshmi broke away from the fight, howling in pain.

A voice sounded behind them, it was Vitani and she sounded panicked.

"Kion, there are more lionesses coming!"

Before Kion could react, a heavy weight jumped on him from behind, claws digging into his back. Kion started spinning around, trying to throw his attacker off him. He finally rolls onto his back, and heard a loud "Oof" as he landed on the lioness.

Kion got up, and looks around him to see eight hostile lionesses, surrounding he, Vitani and Cyrus. The three backed up, all facing away from each other, making sure no lioness can come from behind.

Kion looked at Greeshmi, who has a very deep cut on her right eye. He knew that he blinded her in that eye, and it looked really bad too.

The lioness that jumped on Kion, was treating Greeshmi, and the rest of the lionesses surrounds the trio. One of the lionesses spoke up.

"We have you out numbered Kion, I suggest that you surrender and we will escort you and your friends to Pride Rock, to your father. He'll want to have a very long talk after this."

Kion looked around, not sure if he should trust them, this was way more violent than he originally thought it would be. But he knew that if he did not surrender, they really would suffer the penalty of death for returning to the Pridelands.

His eyes turned to the lioness who told him to surrender. He responded to her, hatred very clear in his voice.

"Alright, you win. We surrender."