Chapter 14: Induction Day

At long last we've reached the end of this story. Well, end-of-the-story-before-the-epilogue, but hey, it's still a chapter!

Thank you so much for joining me on this ride through this story, though sorry for taking so long to complete it. When I was writing this chapter, along with the other chapters, I really tried to keep in mind that I was writing an alternate story to the Lion Guard: Return of Roar, a film that was aiming towards a younger audience, so I was keeping in mind that the story here could be a film that is meant for kids, yet the writing is decent enough that older kids, teens, and adults can enjoy as well, just like the original movies. While a worthy goal, it did make things a bit more difficult since some darker and more thought-provoking themes and such could definitely be explored through his story, and by extension the whole series, yet still need to keep in mind the rating I put this story under. Anyways...

Enjoy the chapter!

Tranquility was a sight most commonly found cross the savanna on days like these, yet on this certain day there was an extra feeling of excitement buzzing in the air. Every animal the smallest jerboa to the largest elephant was on a path towards the Prideland's landmark. Either from hearing others talk or from the royal majordomo's beak himself, the word was that king Simba had an announcement to make and had requested every animal, from the tall to the small, to come to Pride Rock.

To many creature's, the reason to why they were being summoned was a mystery to them. After all, the only events worthy of the king calling for a full Pridelands' attendance were either for royal events, such as the announcement of the birth of a new heir, marriage, or coronation of a royal, or in a state of emergency, such as when King Mohatu, Simba's great grandfather and one of the Pridelands' earlier kings, called the animals together to discuss the best solution for surviving through a drought.

However, while many were left to ponder what was the purpose of this assembly, a few already knew or had a very good guess of what it could be.

As customary for these meetings, the king would present himself after waiting for the population to arrive before getting straight to the matter at hand. Every creature could contest that the king of the Pridelands was a magnificent specimen, not only inheriting his father's strong stature and dashing looks, but also his ideals of fairness, kindness, and justice. He stood proudly on the precipice of Pride Rock, mane billowing in the wind, feet firmly planted on the unshakable stone beneath him. He was, indeed, a model king.

However, very few were actually focusing on the king at the moment, Instead, as a few birds flying down onto the backs, tusks, and horns of herbivores pointed out, that there were quite the diverse group of creatures standing beside the king. Sure enough, several feet away from the king, there was the royal family, consisting of the queen, crown princess, and future king-consort, then further over was the prince... a cheetah, egret, hippo, and a honey badger.

"Fellow Pridelanders," came the strong voice of their king, capturing back most of audience's attention. "I thank you all for being here today. Today is a momentous day, for I have asked you all to come to witness the official implementation of the Lion Guard into service and the official recognition and induction of it's core members.

As some of you may already know, the Lion Guard is an elite group of individuals, each with great abilities and gifts, using these talents to serve and protect the Pridelands. In doing so, they not only bring honor and balance to the the Circle of Life, but also bring such things to themselves. And so, I'd like to present your new Lion Guard and its members so that they may be recognized and respected as the Prideland's guardians."

The king nodded at the guard, and slowly each of its members, even Bunga, stepped forward. A white egret with an orange crest landed beside Simba first. Simba leaned over and planted his paw upon his shoulder, mindful of his wings and feathers.

"May your eyes see far, see clearly, and see true to what dangers, what challenges, and what exciting events might lay within and outside the Pridelands. Arise Ono, the Pridelands' keenest of sight."

Ono bowed and somewhere in the crowd, a few animals cheered for him. A young cheetah with a more atypical coat pattern stepped up next.

"Let no obstacle stand in your way, let no foe be able to predict your charges, and may you never tire during your mission. Arise Fuli, the Pridelands' swiftest."

Fuli bowed modestly to the king, but almost appeared to be skipping with joy as she went to sit beside Ono a few feet beside the king. Next, to a few animal's surprise, the hippo approached next. However, Simba did not change his stance or demeanor as he had done the previous too, merely scooting back slightly to allow Beshte to be better seem to the crowd.

"In times of worry and fear, as well as in times of peace, you are the strength others rely on. You are a defender of those who are weak, a great wielder of such physical prowess, yet you are a also strong of mind and strong of heart. Beshte, I proclaim you the Pridelands' strongest."

In the crowd, beside many of the larger herbivores such as the elephants and wildebeests and rhinos, the pod of hippos had arrived and they cheered for Beshte as he made his way towards the others. And no hippo, or any other animals, was more exuberantly cheering and extremely proud then Basi, the leader of the hippopotamus pod and Beshte's father.

A small wave of chuckles came across those assembled as the next one who came up was a honey badger, and for a few of those present, a very loud and wild one at that. Still, Bunga manged to get up to Simba with his best behavior on. Simba smiled and placed his paw on his shoulder next.

"Though you face dangers great and small as you continue in your path, may you never waver in your resolve. May you act as a beacon to those who are afraid or who are lost so that they may see the way and emerge into the light. Bunga, as the bravest, may your actions make us all proud."

Behind the two, to a few animals' confusion, a warthog and meerkat had begun to weep loud and quite passionately as the Pridelands' bravest broke away from Simba with a wide smile and a quick salute before hopping over to the others.

"And lastly, I call forth my son." As Simba began speaking, Kion began to step forward. "As my second-born, it was apparent that he was destined for a great things. So when the path the Circle of Life called out for him was to be a defender and protector of it, he stepped right into the role. And while there may have been some trials and a few errors along the way, he has proven himself to be worthy of the position as the Prideland's fiercest and the leader of the Lion Guard."

As Kion stepped to the tip of the ledge, Simba turned to him a smiled warmly, before turning and placing a paw on his shoulder, right upon this mark.

"As leader of the Lion Guard, may your experiences and teachings shape your knowledge and wisdom as time passed. Let your beliefs in the Circle of Life never fail and that your understanding of it only grow. In events where you alone are not enough to solve the problems before you, never forget that you have both your friends, your teammates, the creatures around you, your family, and the wisdom of the Great Kings of the Past to guide you. Though you have your work cut out for you and your team, never forget who you are and your place in the Circle of Life."

As the animals reared up to cheer for the young prince, even among the commotion and noise, Kion could still make out the words of his father whispering, "and never forget that I am proud of you son."

Then Simba turned and nodded to the other four members to step up and stand beside Kion. Together, the newly officiated Lion Guard stood proudly before the entire Pridelands, bathed in the shining light of the heavens above, as if the Great Kings of the Past were smiling down upon those below.

Kion looked around as the who world seemed to be aglow and alive. The entire Pridelands lay before him, and he was ready and to able to serve and protect. Beside him, he had the support of his friends, and behind him he had the strength and support of his family. He could feel the joy and pride swelling up inside of him, filling him with such contentment and such triumphant jubilation.

With a deep breath, he roared out to those below, the voices and strength of the Great Kings of the Past roaring along with him.

Please leave a review if you enjoyed the chapter, I have one more left, and I'll see you later- v.t.7