On Earth, Shenzi and her pups arrived back in Africa for the first time in a long time. She quickly found a place to hide the crystal shard Chamberlain had given her in case she ever did want to go back.

The pups were fascinated by this new place, as they had never lived here. That was why they needed their mother to show them the ropes and the other living species here.

The pups loved seeing all the sites there was to see. So many different animals to choose from to be food, different plant life, and different other animals to avoid as enemies.

Shenzi wondered who had taken over leadership of her clan since she had left. She began to track down a hyena clan. She was sure she and her pups would get settled into a clan again, if they knew her name, it might be easier.

Soon, they did meet a clan and as it turned out, it was her birth clan. But she was no longer in charge of course. Another female named Vira had taken over and she was one tough young female.

Shenzi asked if they had ever heard of her name and as it turned out, her name was a legend here in this clan, even among the lions that lived close to the area.

Then she admitted her name was Shenzi and that the three young ones were her offspring and introduced them. She was impressed that her name was a legend.

She was questioned about where she had gone, and she simply said, "A distant land."

Vira was quick to drive home to Shenzi that she was in charge here, not Shenzi any longer. She was too old for this job.

That got on Shenzi's last nerve and she was willing to prove herself that she could still lead a clan.

Shenzi and Vira were instantly fighting over leadership of the clan. It was a brutal one.

As Shetani, Banzai, and Eddie watched, they thought, 'Is this what we've been missing?'

After the fight was over, Vira walked away limping. Shenzi had won this fight, but it wasn't without blood on her too. It was mostly on her neck and back. Vira on the other hand had been injured on the legs.

Shenzi showed her clan and pups that she still was a tough ol' girl. She won the leadership back.

The pups were concerned for their mother's injuries and did the best they could to lick the wounds. Shenzi had shown her kids how brutal a hyena fight could be.

It didn't take long for things to settle down now that Shenzi was leader again. Many of the teenagers in the clan began to make friends with Shenzi's pups.

They all hung out with different groups and learned to have adventures and fun with their own kind. Shenzi knew she had to give her pups this freedom if they were to ever become independent of her and she had a mind to make Shetani the next leader of the clan, just as her mother did with her.

...

Shenzi and her pups were with the clan for about a year when Shenzi felt her pups had learned all they needed to know to live here. They were well settled into the clan now and very happy. They knew how to hunt and knew their places within the clan.

Shenzi felt a restlessness that she couldn't explain. She hadn't found a new mate at all, and didn't want one. The clan's adult males just didn't impress her any. And she felt she didn't want anymore children. Three was plenty.

Soon, the day came that Shenzi handed the role over to her daughter, Shetani, and she would lead the clan well. She knew what her mother was doing. She wanted to go back.

"Thanks Mother, for everything you have taught me to be a true hyena." Shetani said.

Shenzi licked her daughter goodbye. "You're welcome, my daughter. I will miss you."

Then she proceeded to say goodbye to her sons as well. "You boys behave now. Obey your sister as she is your new leader now."

"Yes, Mom." They said.

All of the pups had grown into fine young hyenas, and they were all having a life now, and they all had special friends chosen to be mates later on.

Shenzi was proud of them no matter what happened and she told them to remember her.

She left her clan and went and found the crystal shard she had hidden over a year ago. She touched the shard with her paw after she dug it up and a portal opened up. She recognized Thra through it and jumped in.

...

She landed back in the Crystal Chamber. She saw no one in the room and began to track her old friend down. She hoped he had gotten by alright without her.

She tracked down his room. He wasn't there and she continued to follow his scent.

When she finally found him, he was among the other Skeksis in the Council Chamber. There was an argument going on among many of them. Chamberlain and the Emperor were going at it. Shenzi knew of their rivalry they always had.

Shenzi let out one of her hyena calls and it made the Skeksis freeze and look over at the entrance.

Chamberlain couldn't believe his eyes!

"Shenzi! You came back!" He turned away from his enemy and came toward her with his hands outstretched and smiling so wide. He looked like he hadn't smiled that big in ages.

"Chamberlain!" She made a dash at him and she jumped up and landed in his arms and on his chest, knocking him to the floor. She was just as happy and excited to see him.

The wind was knocked from his lungs, but he also felt Shenzi's tongue licking his face.

She kissed him for a short moment, then got off of him.

When he regained his senses, he asked, "What was that for?"

"My place is with you, Chamberlain. I will stay here for the rest of my days."

SkekSil was more than happy to hear it. He got back to his feet and gave her a pet on the head.

The others couldn't believe what they had just seen. No other creature had ever been that loving to them at all. But Shenzi had been accepted long ago for how valuable she was as a hunter and guard animal.

Shenzi was there to stay.

The End

The ending scene was inspired by another movie where that happened.

I know this story has gotten no reviews yet, but it would mean a lot to me if you would please review, dear readers. But no flames please.

It would also mean a lot if my other Dark Crystal story got reviews, Chamberlain's Life Changing Story.