That dream haunted Chumvi, more than any other dream ever could. Although he told the other Gaurdians about what he witnessed, and was relieved when they said that Uru also appeared in their dreams to warn them of 'what's to come', not one of them could answer the pertinent question. None of them knew who this lioness of great beauty would be, although with the way the girls their age were growing up they figured it would be one of them. What they hadn't figured was what 'days to come' actually meant.
For the next 6 months, much would take place. Ni would reappear in the Pridelands, and just as he did last time he saved Nala, Mheetu and Mtoto from some hyenas. Soon after this event, Sina had given birth to her and Kumari's cub, whom they agreed to name Mefaru (which Rafiki, Scar and Sarabi all noted meant 'absolution', though in Rafiki's case he noted that with a bit of suspicion). That was also the day Mheetu had began to do as Sarabi had done and become more and more distant with the Pride as a whole, as well as the day Sarafina formally 'betrayed' Sarabi and gave her full blessings to Scar. To say that he was surprised would be an understatement, but he at least trusted her, which was more than the Lion Guard and especially Kumari could say. As for Nala, she didn't seem to approve or disapprove of Sarafina's allegiance, even if she herself shared Mheetu's attitude of distrusting Scar's judgment, especially concerning the hyenas.
The hyenas were a point of contention within the Pride all by themselves. Although Shenzi was forced to publically apologize for Adui, Vunda, and Kousa's instigation, it soon became clear that this was perhaps the worst thing Scar and Kumari could have done. The antagonism only got worse, but as Shenzi made a point of ensuring that she herself followed the laws while admonishing any hyena who mistreated others in her presence, Chumvi, Tojo and Thambo thought she was merely putting on an act. After all, she was 'doing her part', as she would always say, but the look on her face as she did gave it right away. Still, acting on those suspicions without hard evidence would have consequences, as Scar would always remind the young guardians whenever they'd voice their anger with the hyenas.
However, this wasn't to say that they didn't believe Shenzi when she said that hyenas aren't so dumb as to try and fight the Lion Guard head-on, and as Chumvi stood before his Guard on this day he could notice for the first time that the teenaged Guardians were now sub-adults and had become exactly what Scar said the Protectors of the Circle of Life should be. Each one of them, himself included, had become impressive specimens and the hyenas knew it. Chumvi had looked at his reflection this morning, and much appreciated how tall and well-built he was, as well as how his jet-black mane now wrapped nicely around his head. If the depiction of his father was accurate, then Chumvi new he was just a bit thinner than the former Strongest had been, but he was happy to come close to Mikali's size.
As for the new Strongest in the Pridelands, Kiburi had perhaps outsized Kumari and Mufasa at this point, having definitely become stronger than either of them long ago. His mane was also jet-black, just as Chumvi's was, however, his mane-style w full 'edges' and 'spikes' that could perhaps fool a cub into believing that his mane was a bladed weapon in itself. He certainly wouldn't need it, as his great muscles were more than intimidating enough on their own. His jovial demeanor and gentle friendliness was perhaps the only thing that stopped others from thinking he was some sort of mindless beast.
As for the Keenest of Sight, his bright yellow mane was perhaps harsh on the eyes in the sunlight, but it also complemented his own green eyes even more than ever before. Although he was the same height as Scar and only a little more muscular, his raw intellect and the glint of viciousness in his eyes was enough to warn away most intruders and enemies. Kiburi may be the Strongest, and Tojo might be the Bravest, but Thambo had proven time and again that he'd do pretty much anything to ensure the desired outcome.
This wasn't to say that the coffee-brown, chocolate-maned lion that served as the Fastest of the Guard wasn't a dangerous lion in his own right, however. Just like Thambo, Upesi would go quite far to ensure that the law was enforced. Unlike Thambo, however, this stemmed from the maturity that he had been forced to adopt from early cubhood. As Upesi had explained to the Pride many times before, part of this maturity is knowing when something was futile, and he considered getting the hyena clan to see reason to be an exercise in futility.
Tojo was definitely the Bravest Lion in the Pridelands to keep Upesi and Thambo from going against Scar's wishes, as well as to serve as an effective second-in-command. Both he and Upesi were similar in height and build (both were a few inches shorter than Chumvi and Kiburi, but definitely taller and bigger than Thambo), and perhaps that was why the dark-yellow, dark-maned lion was able to reign in the others so well with his kind wisdom and words of encouragement.
And this was why Chumvi, on this day, chose Tojo to accompany him on his patrol while the others would each take separate corners of the kingdom as their patrol areas. And, given what they'd find at the southern borders today, the Spirits perhaps smiled at this unintentional foresight and wisdom. For, on this day, Chumvi was definitely going to need someone that could keep a cool head despite what might be happening around him.