(Copy and pasted from FanFiction.Net)

I apologize for how long it has taken me to update, I kind of forgot that after 90 days of untouched work, automatically deletes. If it makes you feel better, I'm using google docs from now on to type my chapters. I'm not going to lie, I don't think the that I'll be updating my story any faster; I've kind of lost interest in the Lion King/Guard.

Kion's lungs burned for air as he ran for the termite tower; well aware that he's in the Outlands, and that no one followed him, Kion kept his brisk pace. The Outlands became very hot very fast as the morning sun rises from its slumber. Kion's muscles, paws, and even his stomach, ache with every stride; but he ignores it all. The battle still fresh on his mind, Kion's blood boiled with rage as he remembers how close he was to Simba.

If Zira didn't interfere, Kion would be standing over a lifeless body as Simba's fur, blood, and tradition, became nothing but a memory. He and the Outsiders' would have had a satisfying meal, this very morning, to celebrate their victory. It was Zira who stole Kion's glory, and had the Outsiders flee back to their hole like scared mice; it was her failure and she will pay dearly for it.

As Kion neared the massive hollowed out termite tower, that served as the Outsiders' den, he's forced to push all his thoughts aside, to prepare for what lay ahead.

The stench of blood filled the air as he walks past a couple lionesses treating their wounds. Kion notices a few faces turn to look at him, but he couldn't tell if they were hostile or if they were a warning.

Signing in confusion, Kion ignores the strange looks. Realizing how parched he felt, and heads for the drinking puddle.

Looking into the water, Kion sees something floating on the surface of the murky puddle; a drowned mouse, no bigger than his claws. He picks up the tiny creature with his claws by the tail, scoffing in disgust. Tossing the body to the side, he lowers his head to take a drink. Taking a mouthful of warm water and mud. Kion scrunches up his face as he felt wet dirt and sand stick to the roof of his mouth and tongue. Turning away from the puddle, he makes a vain attempt to get not only mud out of his mouth, but the taste of the earth.

I cruel voice sounds behind him. "You!"

Kion turns to the voice, but is met with a painful slap to the face from Zira.

He feels her claws tear through his face; running from the bridge of his snout, down his face below his eye. It takes a few minutes for Kion to recuperate from the blow; feeling the blood dribble down his cheek and neck.

Before he can say anything, Zira unleashes her rage upon Kion.

"YOU'RE A DISGRACE! I LET YOU INTO MY PRIDE WITH OPEN PAWS AFTER SIMBA KICKED YOU OUT OF YOUR OWN; AND YOU REPAY ME WITH YOUR FAILURE?" Accused Zira.

Kion lashes out at Zira. "MY FAILURE? YOU MADE US RETREAT AND IF IT WEREN'T FOR YOU, WE'D HAVE THE PRIDELANDS BY NOW!"

"Yes, we should have had the lands by now." Zira responds calmer. "And we would have, if you'd just stick to the plan."

By now, all the Outsiders circle the two bickering lions. An excited murmur went throughout their audience. It wasn't everyday that one would talk back to the leader of the Pride, especially when that leader is Zira. An annoying high pitched voice sounds within the crowd, mocking Kion. "Poor Simba's former princie is in trouble." Nuka exclaims in amusement.

Kion completely ignores him and the rest of the lionesses. His rage is still with Zira, and Zira alone.

"WHAT PLAN!?" Kion growls. "You just had us go into the Pridelands and try to take Simba on in the middle of a gathering. If we'd have done that, none of us would be here now."

"I say it would've been better that way." Zira responds.

A confused murmur arose from the crowd, ignited by Zira's words. A few lions protested, others agreed.

"So you wouldn't mind if Zuni, or Cyrus, or even Vitani and Kovu died?" Kion accuses.

"Kovu and Vitani can handle themselves, and as for Cyrus and Zuni, it would have been a noble sacrifice."

About half the population of the crowd protests against Zira's response again. Harsh questions and comments being thrown out into the open:

"So we're expendable to you?

You're supposed to look out for your pride.

What respect are you going to earn, if you send us out to die?

Doesn't sound like a noble sacrifice."

"YOU COWARDS! You heard the same words from Kovu as I did. Cyrus gave up her command; to him..." Zira points her unsheathed claws at Kion, her hatred very recognizable. "And it's because of them, Simba still breathes."

An unsure murmur arose from the crowd once more. It continued for several minutes, until a lioness steps forward; Zuni.

"With all due respect Zira, Kion had a good strategy that could weaken Simba and his pride." Zuni stops for a reaction, but had none; she continued. "Taking out his strongest lionesses could really weaken Simba's Pride."

"That didn't work out too well, did it." Zira snaps at Zuni. "We saved you all, after you were all captured."

Kion steps forth to plead his case. "It would have gone successfully if Scar's 'chosen one' wouldn't have crawled back to you." An uproar of protest howls throughout half of the crowd. They stare menacingly at him; the other half of the lionesses look at Kion differently. Kion realizes that he may have just earned himself a new form of respect from the Outsiders; he continues on. "Kovu fleeing and not following my plan, was your failure. During the battle, you stopped me from taking Simba down; again, that was your failure."

Zira scoffs "Lies and excuses!"

Another lioness steps forward. "I can vouch for Kion. Kion was within feet of Simba, but I watched you stop him." The lioness stares at Zira. "I also watched your fight with Simba and after. We retreated on your order. And I watched Kion take a life." A murmur of wonder, yet again, spread throughout the audience. "He snapped Kiah's neck." The lioness finished matter of factly.

Both Zira and Kion realize, Zira had just lost respect from about half the population of the lionesses; stolen by Kion. Kion notices a slight panic in Zira's eyes as she struggles for words that would regain the respect from the lionesses that she lost. He couldn't help but feel amused as Zira's frustration grew.

Several minutes pass and Kion notices that most of the lionesses were looking at the puddle in disgust. It was no secret that everyone in the Pride is thirsty; those were mostly the ones who refused to drink from the muddy puddle. A few rumbling stomachs announced their Hunger; the lack of food can affect one's ability and strength greatly. Quickly, Kion thought of something that could quickly tip the scale in his favor.

"What's the matter with all of you!" Zira finally shouts. "We've been surviving since Simba exiled us to this hell hole."

"You accuse me of lying, Zira-" Kion smirks as he chooses his words. "You promised us water, but you haven't even made an attempt to take the hyenas watering hole. I would have taken it along time ago."

"We once had the watering hole, but you took it from us."

"True, and I admit I was foolish in doing so; and I was just a cub then. But I've come to realize my mistakes and yet, you're making more mistakes than you even realize. And if I had it my way, we'd take that watering hole by tomorrow." Kion hinted.

If it were possible, Zira's eyes would have narrowed more than they already had. "That's some talk coming from a 'hyena lover.'"

"Says you... you were the one who spared Kenji's life. Besides, you heard his words just as clearly as I have before I ended his miserable life; they can't defend themselves from us. It would be the perfect opportunity for us."

A murmur of agreement spread throughout the Pride. Kion's eyes fell on Vitani for the first time since the battle; looking almost uncertain. With a little bit of annoyance, Kion realizes that he may have not given enough information. Before Kion can say anything, Kovu speaks up; most likely just to irritate Kion even more than he already was.

"And how do you expect us to take the watering hole? From what I heard, you aren't exactly welcome so they might expect us to try and take their hole."

Chuckling in amusement, Kion turned to Kovu. "How? We take it by force of course. They're weak; the hyenas can't match our strength."

"That's it? Your plan itself sounds like suicide."

Another lioness steps forward. "I think it's a great idea."

"Your going to stick up for that sore excuse for a lion?" A lioness shouts within the crowd.

"Well, what do you propose!?" The lioness snaps. "We haven't done anything productive since..."

The lioness from the crowd cuts her off. "We wait for Zira to figure something out."

"Wake up, Zira is finished! It's been setback after setback and no progression."

As some lionesses agreed and others opposed, some of them started getting a little aggressive towards each other. One by one, the pride began forming two different sides; one side for Zira's supporters, and one for Kion's potential lionesses. After several minutes of bickering between the two lionesses, whom started the break up; lunge at each other; this sparked the rest of the lionesses to exchange claws with another. As the fight broke out, Kion couldn't help but feel comfortable as he watched with a smirk. He felt compelled to just take Zira down now and get her out of the way. But right now was not the time, he needed to plot with the help of his new pride. He may have gotten half of Zira's pride, but that means he's half a pride short.

Kion drew in a deep breath, expelling it out to rise above the commotion. But it wasn't just his voice that rang throughout the air.

"SILENCE!"

As the lionesses broke apart, Kion turns to look at Zira. "Enough of this. We will not be attacking the hyenas... and you..." Zira stares at Kion. "...will most certainly not be attacking the hyenas or I will kill you." She turned her attention back to the pride. "You are still apart of my pride and you will follow whatever order I give you, without hesitation. Now we will put this off for now and pick it up again tomorrow, and as for a punishment, those whom spoke against me, shall sleep outside of the den." As Zira walked towards the den's mouth, she stops next to Kion. Whispering to Kion with much hate, Kion held his ground. "I realize what happened today, but if you hadn't turned half my lionesses against me, I would have killed you faster than you could run your mouth."

"But you didn't... because your weak; you had plenty of opportunities but you didn't cease it." Kion says through gritted teeth. "And unlike you, I know what the pride wants, and I will not hesitate to cease an opportunity graciously given to me."

Zira scoffs as she walks into the den, accompanied by Nuka, Kovu, and the few lionesses who defended Zira's leadership.

As the last of the lionesses disappear into the den, Kion looks over at the remaining lions. As he scans the crowd, Kion notices Vitani among his pride, and as their eyes meet, Vitani walks over to Kion's side; Vitani is the first one to speak. "I thought mother would have punished us for our failure."

Kion chuckles before responding. "Our failure...? No, the lions you see before you, are the results of Zira's failure, and my victory. And with her failure, a new opportunity has arisen in our favor."

Vitani gives the scratches under Kion's eye a quick lick, showing her loyalty to Kion; Kion winces for a second as a stinging sensation spreads throughout his face. Kion turns from Vitani and looks over the crowd, all eyes were on him.

"Some of you may believe we lost our little conflict today, but I believe it to be a victory. You've opened your eyes to Zira's lies and have realized her setbacks. The difference between Zira and I... is that I focus on the wellbeing of my pride mates before my vengeance; something that Zira has yet to learn. With this in mind, will any of you stand with me?" Kion's audience roar in unison. "Then we take the hyenas watering hole tomorrow, just as the sun rises." The thunderous roars echo throughout the land. As the roaring died down, Kion gave his final words for the day to his new pride. "We've had a long night, and I want you all fully rested for tomorrow."

Kion watched as the lionesses dispersed, and watches as the lionesses try to find whatever shade they can to rest.

"Mother is not going to be happy about this." Says Vitani, still by Kion's side.

Kion gives Vitani and reassuring nuzzle before staring into her eyes. "I know she isn't, and I need you to keep an eye on her, Vitani. I need to be ahead of Zira if my plan is to succeed."

Vitani stares at Kion in disbelief. "Are you serious; you're asking me to spy on my own mother?"

"Only so I can be a few steps ahead of her. I need your help if I'm going to acquire the Pridelands again."

"THE PRIDELANDS...; THAT'S YOUR GOAL RIGHT NOW! YOU'RE PLANNING TO TAKE THE HYENAS' WATERING HOLE, FIGHT ZIRA, GET YOUR REVENGE ON SIMBA, AND TAKE THE PRIDELANDS..!? Kion, you're taking on too much and if you keep this up, mother will kill you if and when she finds out!" Vitani exclaims.

"Yes, the Pridelands is my ultimate goal, but I'm taking small, cautious steps towards my goal. Look around you Vitani, this Wasteland is no life for us; I want the Pridelands not for myself, but for the lions in our pride... and for you. It was never right for my father to banish you here; you are innocent but because you were raised my Zira, my father blames you for things that you were never responsible for.

"But I'm not innocent, not anymore; I've killed and I don't regret it."

"So have I. And I've been raised to keep Outlanders from entering the Pridelands, but now that I'm an outsider to the eyes of my father, I truly understand the hardships of these lands, and why we must take the Pridelands back."

"That's what mother has raised me to do. To fight all my life so that one day, we can take the Pridelands back."

"But Zira wants to take the pridelands to honor Scar. I want the lands for the well-being of my pride." Kion looks up into the sky embracing the cruel heat of the sun. "This includes you, but I need your help."

Vitani flanks Kion. "Fine, I'll do it." She gives Kion a quick lick on the cheek before retreating into the den.

Kion scans the clearing for a place to rest, preferably a spot with some shade. Finding none, he settles down in a patch of dried out grass, trying to ignore some termites that had crawled into his fur. With the sun hitting his back, Kion closed his eyes as drowsiness swells over him.

I hope you enjoyed the 9th chapter of Kion's Betrayal and as always, please leave a review.