Chapter 2: Pride Rock

Sahashi stood with his father and friends as they overlooked Pride Rock from a hillside. The sun still rose up and covered the savannah in its vibrant orange light. Bit by bit, the pride land's beauty and majesty became revealed. From the Umbrella Acacia trees, the great elephant grass, immense waterfalls, low mountains, and rivers flowing like veins. Kion hadn't seen his home in a long time, and it was every bit as beautiful as he remembered.

Kion then glanced down at his son's face and cherished the reaction of awe and wonder upon him. With a gentle breeze over them, the King looked out again to see countless animals emerging from the morning shadows and into the sun, zebras, antelope, elephants, meerkats, and so many more.

"It's even more beautiful than our savanna!" Rae proclaimed.

"I don't know about that. But it is amazing." Janna rebuffed as she came closer. However, Kion's keen sense of smell picked up on an all too familiar aroma. He turned to see a familiar hornbill on the hilltop beside them.

"Alright, let's get the morning report ready before the King and Queen awake." Zazu's attention remained so fixed on the pride lands that he hadn't noticed the others. Mateo and a few others nearly spoke when Kion silenced them with his gesture. With a growing smirk, the King whispered something to his son. Sahashi crouched down and adorned on his playfully aggressive expression.

"Stay low to the ground. Try not to make a sound." Kion whispered into his son's ear.

"Now was it the wildebeest that needed grazing today or the giraffes. I suppose I'll just have to ask them both ahhh!" Zazu squawked in terror as Sahashi pounced him into the grass. Kion broke out into laughter with the others while the hornbill groaned.

"Isn't it a bit early for this, Prince Mufasa." Zazu's eyes widened when he saw Sahashi over him.

"Yahhh!" He frantically tried to get away until Kion took his own turn and pounced Zazu into the ground.

"Looks like those pouncing lessons are still effective." The hornbill's expression turned wearier.

"I see you've arrived, Kion. This must be your son."

"It's good to see you too, Zazu." He let the now dirty bird up as he shook himself clean.

"Welcome home. You arrived earlier than we expected. The royal family is still asleep." Zazu finally noticed the others among Kion and Sahashi.

"Oh my, who might you be."

"We're the future Night Pride!" Janna proudly announced with her head held high.

"Night Pride? That doesn't sound very effective, don't animals sleep at night?" Janna answered Zazu by slamming him into the ground like Sahashi and Kion.

"Is this just my lot in life?" he moaned.

"Come on, Janna, let him up. It's time to head to Pride Rock." Following Kion, the children found themselves before a vast rock formation in the savanna's center. By now, a few of the lions and lionesses inside began to wake up.

The young ones quickly noticed that none of these lions shared Sahashi or Janna's fur colors. Instead, they more closely resembled Kion and Anada's, although several looked either paler or slightly darker.

The cubs among them woke up first and began tormenting their parents with nips and scratches. Sahashi smiled as he remembered doing just that to Kopa. Further in, Kion saw a few familiar faces. Zuri lay near a corner with a western pride lands lion cuddled up against her, and a lioness cub between them.

Not far away, Tifu rested beside a Tsavo male lion. However, their sleep struggled at the paws of a male cub who scratched at his parents.

"Come on. It's morning already!" the lioness cub beside Zuri opened her eyes with a furious expression.

"Would you be quiet, Thato! I'm trying to get some beauty sleep!" Janna and Gatimu glanced at each other for a moment.

"Beauty sleep? If I ever say something like that, bite me." Kion hoped he could say hello before leaving, but also didn't want to wake them. So they kept walking until at least, Kion saw his sister asleep beside Kovu, an adolescent lion, and a lioness cub.

Kiara stretched her legs out and yawned. The lioness slowly opened her eyes and saw who stood at the foot of her flattop rock-bed.

"I always thought you'd be more active when you became queen. Still asleep at the crack of dawn." With a playful growl, Kiara leaped forward and tried to pounce her brother into the ground, but to no success. After a minute, Kion had her pinned to the ground.

"Huh, he does much better against aunt Kiara than mom." Sahashi thought to himself. After their laughter stopped, Kiara gave Kion a quick nuzzle and got up.

"Someone got here early."

"It's a little later at the Tree of Life." Kiara slowly looked over at Sahashi and the others.

"Well, look who else is here."

"Hi, aunt Kiara." The lioness gave her nephew a quick nuzzle before more yawns filled the cave. Kovu awoke at last and quickly noticed who was there.

"Look at that. Mufasa, Safarina, wake up. Your cousin is here." The two cubs slowly got up after a few moments and looked down at Sahashi.

"Sahashi!" The lioness cub rushed down and tried to pin Sahashi down. However, he came back full of spirit after hearing some encouragement from his friends. Mufasa slowly lept down before approaching Kion.

"Uncle Kion, it's good to see you."

"And you too, Mufasa. You're growing fast, maybe even faster than Kopa."

"He takes after his father." Kiara purred before giving her son a quick nuzzle.

"Koion."

"Kovu, you're looking a bit tired." The black-manned lion cracked his neck and sighed slightly.

"Is it that obvious?"

"I still think you look as handsome as when we first met." Kiara continued her purr as she licked Kovu's face.

"Being King is a lot more stressful than I thought it would be. I don't know how Simba did for so long." Kion chuckled before patting his brother by law's shoulder.

"You get used to it. Having a strong Queen and good advisors certainly help."

"That's right." Kiara almost boasted. The sounds of their cubs wrestling drew them back with amused expressions.

"Safarina certainly has a lot of spirit. She reminds me of Anada." Kiara nodded.

"How's my favorite niece doing?" However, the queen noticed her brother's face turn slightly weary.

"She's gotten herself into trouble again. Sometimes I wonder what we're going to do with her." Kiara nuzzled his face for a moment.

"I'm sure it will be alright. We certainly weren't ones to keep out of trouble."

"What about Kopa? How's the future, King faring?" Mufasa asked with growing interest.

"Your cousin is doing well. He's begging to understand the real struggles of being a King, as he should. How's your training coming along?" Mufasa's expression turned sheepish.

"I, well." Kovu nudged his son forward.

"It's ok. You still have plenty of time. By the way, where's mom and dad?" Kiara pointed to another rock bed where Kion saw his parents fast asleep. The fatigue of years took its toll on them, but Kion knew plenty of life still existed within his mother and father.

Janna, Rae, Mateo, and Gatimu all gazed at them with wonder. For the young ones had heard so many stories of King Simba the Great and Queen Nala the fierce. Two living legends lay just before them. Of course, Simba and Nala had visited the Tree of Life a few times, but Janna and the others were always too afraid to greet them.

Sahashi and Safarina finally ended their scuffle when they heard two loud yawns. Kion brought his son close enough, and when Simba opened his eyes, he saw them both.

"Hi, grandpa."

"Sahashi!" Simba quickly greeted his grandson with a warm nuzzle and lick. Nala soon awoke and joined in. However, their attention didn't remain on Sahashi for too long.

"Mom, dad." Kion soon felt them do the same to him.

"You're finally here. Why don't you visit us more often." Nala almost growled while she took turns caressing her son and grandson.

"Come on, mom. You know being a King isn't easy."

"Neither is coming all the way to your Kingdom at our age." Kiara smirked.

"Keep telling yourself that mom. We all know better."

"It's soo good to see you, Sahashi. I wish I could see you more."

"It's good to see you too, grandpa. I never realized how big the Pride Lands were." Simba slowly nodded with a growing smile.

"They are truly magnificent. It's where your father grew up."

"Your majesties. First and foremost, I should say what an honor and privilege it is to meet you both." Janna spoke while the others nearly came to attention.

"Good morning Janna. We didn't know you were coming too." Nala said as she adjusted her back and got up.

"Well, Sahashi came to learn under Vitani. His friends here will be the future Night Pride, so they're here to learn as well. Speaking of which, where is Vitani?"

"In the Guard's cave, they sleep there." Kovu nodded.

"Safarina, and I will go with you."

"That's right, as the future leader of the Lion Guard, I'm aunt Vitani's apprentice." Sarafina proclaimed.

"Your majesty, I have your morning duties laid out whenever you're ready." Zazu announced.

"Alright, come on, Mufasa. We have work to do." Kion didn't need a guide to find his old headquarters. Entering the Guard's cave brought back countless memories. Sahashi noticed this on his father's face and began to think back to the stories he'd heard.

Within moments, Janna noticed five sleeping lionesses spread throughout the caves. Each lioness bore the Lion Guard's mark upon their shoulders and basked in well-earned sleep.

Near the cave's read, a mandrill carefully painted on the wall. This new mural depicted Vitani and her Guard helping a herd of giraffes escape thick mud. However, then the mandrill turned, he nearly jumped in excitement.

"My my! Look who's here!"

"Huh! What are we under attack!" Vitani sprung up with a feral expression. Yet her demeanor only made Kion chuckle.

"Indeed, the King of Life has come to reclaim his old stomping grounds." Vitani's ferocity vanished into amusement.

"Ahh, yes, I'm humbled by the King of Life." Vitani noticed Sahashi and the others before leaping off her rock beside the mandrill.

"So, I understand we have another student to show the ropes. Well, multiple students, apparently." Sahashi nodded respectfully.

"I promise we'll work hard and listen to everything you say."

"I don't know about everything." Kovu jested as Vitani growled at him.

"They have a lot to catch up on." Sahashi now growled at Safarina.

"My uncle, Baliyo, and aunt Afia are great teachers!"

"Then why are you here to learn under my aunt?" Safarina's smug expression lit a fire in Sahashi and Janna.

"Are you speaking ill of my parents?" Janna growled.

"I'm just saying-"

"Safarina, that's enough." Kovu nudged his daughter sternly.

"Nefu, how are you doing?" The mandrill sighed.

"Well enough." Kion felt a considerable amount of grief come over him as he put his paw on Nefu's shoulder.

"I knew Rafiki since I was a cub. His passing wasn't easy on anyone."

"No, but he continued his journey in the circle of life, just like Mufasa. I like to imagine my uncle is keeping him company now." Within a few minutes, the other lionesses awoke and joined Vitani.

"Now that we're all up, we'd best get to our patrols. Kion, do you care to join us?"

"Yeah, dad! Come with us!" Kion saw the excitement in his son's face and looked around at the cave again. With a fierce smile, he nuzzled Sahashi's head.

"Why not, for old time's sake." Kovu parted with the Guard as they came into the savanna. There, Sahashi followed his father and Vitani as they led them from place to place across the pride lands.

Everywhere they went, Sahashi and his friends gazed in wonder at the savanna. Their first stop involved dealing with a mudslide that trapped a herd of Impala. Next, they had to clear away a group of poaching jackals in the east and drive back a territorial herd of kudu.

Occasionally, throughout the morning, they would see Kiara, Kovu, and Mufasa moving about to perform their own duties as monarchs. Kion also noticed Tifu and Zuri, among them, helping Kiara with her tasks just like they always said they would. More than once, Kion and Vitani made use of the roar, though Sahashi felt more inspired than anxious.

Eventually, by late morning, they stood along the edge of the pride lands and where a rockslide prevented herds from accessing watering hole. Sahashi, Safarina, and the other young ones watched as the older lions cleared most of the rocks away.

"What do you think, pretty impressive, huh?" Janna shrugged at Safarina.

"I don't know, the Night Pride and King's Guard would have finished by now." Sahashi sighed before Gatimu quickly raced between the lioness cubs as Safarina growled.

"Easy girls! Let's be civilized!"

"You're right. I wouldn't want to hurt you." Janna's cocky grin nearly set the princess's face on fire.

"Would you stop! You're worse than Anada!" Mateo Squawked.

"I say, let them fight. We'll settle who's strongest between the future Night Pride and Lion Guard right now!" Rae shouted.

"Or we'll get in trouble like we promised our parents we wouldn't!" Sahashi growled as he joined Gatimu between them. Nearby, Kion noticed the altercation and smiled as he saw Kion defuse it with Gatimu.

"Safarina." Vitani's voice pierced the cubs' growls and laughs. Within moments, Safarina rushed over to her aunt.

"There are still a few rocks left. Would you like to clear them out?" The princess's face burst in eagerness as she nodded. Shabaha, Imara, Tazama, and Kasi shared Vitani's optimism while they joined her around Safarina.

Sahashi's eyes widened, and his body trembled when he saw the Lion Guard's symbol on his cousin's shoulder. Only then did he and the others realize it was there. Arching her head back, Safarina unleashed the roar and sent the remaining rocks flying.

Janna, Rae, Gatimu, and Mateo felt their mouths drop when they saw Safarina already possessed the roar. They then slowly looked at Sahashi while trying to muster words of comfort or optimism. But the prince wanted none and simply shook his head. This didn't go unnoticed by Kion, who came over and nuzzled his son for a moment.

"Don't dwell on it, Sahashi." Though that was easier said than done, and with the rocks clear, dozens of animals rushed to take a drink.

"She's a natural!" Imara boasted before Vitani smacked her shoulder.

"What?" Imara went silent after Vitani whispered something into her ear and motioned towards Sahashi.

However, with the stones gone, the group now had a clear view of the outlands and came in for a closer look. Sahashi's almost couldn't believe what he saw. His father told him countless stories about the barren lands that lay in the canyons beyond Pride Rock. Yet the landscape before them looked nothing like that.

Groves of vegetation, trees, and glittering pools of water spread across the outlands. Not to the extent of Pride Rock, and certainly not the Tree of Life, but still, this appeared to be a thriving environment with herds of animals grazing about and various predators hunting them within reason.

"Hevi Kabisa, it's even more vibrant than when I last saw it!" Vitani chuckled and nodded towards Kion.

"Queen Jasiri has been quite busy."

"Queen? Not Prime Minister anymore?" Vitani shook her head.

"They got tired of reelecting her, and she eventually accepted being queen."

"Ahhh!"

"What was that?" Vitani looked around until Tazama found the source of the wail.

"Down there!" A serval became trapped by one of the rocks Safarina roared away just within the outlands.

"Oh, boy."

"What happened?" Vitani nervously looked back at Safarina.

"Uhh, the rockslide went down there too. An animal is trapped. We better go help!" Safarina seemed to believe her, and Vitani growled at any of her lionesses that tried to tell the princess.

Sahashi and the others followed them, but by the time they arrived, five spotted hyenas had already moved the boulder away and helped the serval up. At their head lay an all too familiar face, one who quickly took notice of the new arrivals.

"Well, look who's here. Don't worry, we got it. The outlands are ours to protect."

"Even after all this time, it's strange hearing something like that from you, Janja." Kion chuckled.

"Yeah, it still feels weird saying it."

"Janja! You're Janja! Wow!" Rae pushed past the others and raced in front of the hyena.

"It's really you! My dad told me all kinds of stories about you! All the trouble you caused, stopping your gang regularly!"

"Rae!" Kion growled with Sahashi. Janja's expression narrowed while he looked closer at the honey-badger.

"Bunga's kid, huh, figures."

"I heard commotion! What happened?!" Sahashi noticed another spotted hyena approach. This one was a female and had an apparent authority to her demeanor, particularly toward's Janja. As she approached, the other hyenas backed away while Janja sat like an obedient dog and put his tail between his legs.

"Not being a bad boy again, are you, Janja?" She growled.

"No, dear! I wasn't, I swear!" Janja whined.

"There was a rockslide, and the serval got hurt. Terrible accident." Kasi said in an almost too rehearsed manner, one that earned the ire of Vitani. The hyena eased her stance and gave Janja a lick across his snout.

"That's a good boy then. Hold on, Kion is that you!?"

"Queen, Jasiri, if Vitani's is to be believed." The hyena laughed.

"Well, everyone out here insisted on it. The Pride Lands and Tree of Life have monarchs, and they run well enough, so why not. Ahh, is this him then, Sahashi."

"Go on. This is my old friend." Kion nudged Sahashi forward until he was right in front of Jasiri.

"Hello."

"Hello, there. You look just like your mother. Thank goodness for that."

"Easy, Anada takes after me." Kion chuckled.

"Your home is prettier than my dad told me."

"Yes, well, it wasn't always like this. But your dad inspired me to make it better, like Pride Rock." Sahashi and Kion heard more scared whines, but not from Janja. Mateo noticed her first, a Hyena cub about their age quivered as she hid behind Janja and peered out at them.

"Come on, Adimu. Don't be shy." Jasiri said to the pup.

"Daddy, I don't want to." She whimpered.

"It's ok, listen to your mother." Janja carefully nudged her towards Jasiri. The cub very much resembled her mother and continued to tremble even as she reached Sahashi.

"Hello, I'm Sahashi nice to meet you." Adimu slowly opened her mouth before Rae sprung up beside her.

"Hi, there! You must be the Outland's Princess! I'm Rae!" The pup yipped and nearly jumped onto her back. Janja began to growl after seeing this. Rather than getting upset, Jasiri found it almost endearing seeing him get defensive. However, she didn't share it.

"How long are you staying?"

"Just for today, but Sahashi will be here for a week or so."

"That's too bad, but at least your son will stick around. Adimu, this is a good chance for you to make a new friend." Sahashi tried to look as friendly as he could. At the same time, Gatimu pulled Rae back.

"We have completed most of the easier tasks for today. Safarina, why don't you show your cousin and his friends around?" The princess nodded to her aunt.

"Alright, come on, I'll show you guys the most fun places around!"

"Sounds good to me!" Rae quickly followed after her.

"I'll see you again before I leave. Be safe."

"Yes, dad." Adimu continued to tremble before feeling her mother's snout.

"Go on, have fun with them."

"It's ok. We'll make sure you stay safe and sound." Mateo spoke warmly and spread his wings out to make a shadow over her.

"And have lots of fun!" Janna took over for Jasiri and nudged Adimu forward.

"Make sure you stay close to them! Don't talk to any strangers and remember all the predators I told you about!" Janja barked before Jasiri giggled and licked his head again.

"With the way you treat her, it's no wonder Adimu is so afraid of everything.

"What's wrong with being protective of my daughter!? It's a dangerous world! You know how many things could hurt a pup!?"

"Yes, like you tried to do to Wema and Tunu a long time ago." Janja went silent, and Kion chuckled with Vitani. After battling Janja for so long, hearing him as an overprotective father felt surreal.

Sahashi followed Sarafina closely as she led them across the pride lands until finally, they reached a colossal waterfall that seemed to reach for a quarter-mile. Its raging water took over their senses and filled them with a gentle mist even at a distance.

"This is where I come to play sometimes. Do you have anything like this at the tree of life?"

"We have a few waterfalls, none this big or wide!" Mateo squawked in awe. The eagle quickly flew up to get a better look at the entire falls and the animals around it.

"It's ok, I guess." Janna muttered.

"Ok! It looks awesome! I wanna ride a log down it like back home!"

"No, you don't!" Sahashi snatched Rae by her legs.

"Awww come on!"

"I'm not sending you home splattered on some rock!" Sahashi snapped.

"It is huge, though! Mateo, I'll race you to the top!" Gatimu roared.

"Are you serious, I can fly." The cheetah cub growled in confidence.

"I know, I don't want it to be too easy."

"Alright, just be careful." Safarina felt impressed by her cousin's sense of duty and leadership. Not to mention the respect he clearly commanded from those around him. Both Gatimu and Mateo nodded to him before begging their race.

Rae and Janna similarly rushed to the water and began playfully splashing each other. Adimu remained close to Sahashi at first, but he slowly guided her beside them. Though the hyena cub still didn't partake.

"Sorry about Janna, she usually just speaks her mind."

"I can tell. Still, you already have your future Night Pride with you. That's more than I can say for me." Sahashi smirked.

"What, no eager volunteers among the lion cubs?" Safarina's expression turned wary.

"Not really. But I suppose I have a while." Sahashi began to mirror his cousin's face upon hearing that last bit.

"So uh, when did you get the roar?"

"A month ago, it was really exciting and a little scary. I had a bit of trouble controlling it. I blew Mufasa and a few of my friends away a couple of times. But aunt Vitani helped me get control of it." Sahashi tried to chuckle, but his nerves made it difficult.

"Were you ever afraid you'd never get the roar?"

"Not really, I knew it would come one day. I just had to be patient."

"Yeah." He said softly.

"Ok, that's it! You're going down!"

"Bring it on!" Safarina's face shot to Janna as Sahashi saw the lion cub from earlier begin to play with her.

"Isn't that, what was his name? Thato? Is he a friend of yours?" Safarina's face turned red in a fury it hadn't seen all day. This came not from pride or insult, but jealousy, for Sahashi saw Janna splashing about and wrestling with the lion cub.

"Easy, Safarina, don't use the roar in anger!" The princess very nearly did just that, but instead sprinted into the water and slammed Janna away.

"Safarina?"

"Thato! You shouldn't play with her! She's loud-mouthed and-"

"Tenacious!" Janna finished with a snarl. Adimu trembled in fright as she watched the lioness cubs battle. Thato, however, nervously backed up. Sahashi felt irritated at first, but soon lost himself to amusement and joined Rae in laughter.

"What I'd give to see your sister with them both." Sahashi nodded.

"Oh yeah. Let's just hope she doesn't use the roar."

"Ohh! Use the roar! Use the roar! Use the roar!"

"No!" Adimu cried.

Nearby another lioness cub rested beside the pool of water and seemed to enjoy the waterfall's harmony. However, this tranquility became lost to Janna and Safarina's battle. Water and mud splashed against the cub until she sprung up full of rage.

"Would you two cut it out! You're getting me all filthy!" Safarina gave a sheepish look while Thato shook his head.

"Sorry Amahle."

"I'm not!" Janna used the distraction to body slam Safarina forward. The resulting splash soaked Amahle in more water and mud.

"Come on, Janna." Sahashi groaned before walking over. The lioness cub growled at Janna while trying to clean herself in the pool.

"Hey, sorry about that. My cousin can be a handful sometimes." The cub glanced over at Sahashi with a look of astonishment. Clearly, she'd never seen a lion like him before. Except for Janna, though in her rage, Amahle hadn't noticed Janna's fur color.

"I'm Sahashi, prince of the Tree of Life." Amahle's face grew even more intrigued, and she stood up to get a better look at him.

"You're Queen Kiara's nephew, aren't you." Sahashi nodded.

"King Kion and Queen Rani's second son. The future leader of the Night Pride."

"And I'm his future second in command!" Rae boasted.

"You dream, Rae!" Janna growled even as she continued to wrestle Safarina. A minute later, Gatimu and Mateo returned from their race. Gatimu looked quite proud while Mateo appeared browbeaten.

"These are my friends, Rae, Gatimu, and Mateo. You've, uh, already met my cousin." Amahle glared back at the Night Lioness for a moment.

"I'm Amahle, daughter of lady Zuri, and fairest lioness in Pride Rock. Save my dear friend, princess Safarina." At that very moment, Janna plunged Safarina's head into the mug with hysterical laughter.

"Thato! Don't look at me right now!" Sahashi remembered seeing Lady Zuri earlier and looking at Amahle, she resembled her mother in every way.

"So, what are you doing here?"

"We're here to learn under Vitani and her Guard. Plus, to spend time with my family here."

"Well, as a lady of Pride Rock, I should welcome visiting royalty with respect." Amahle respectfully bowed her head. Safarina gasped for breath as she stumbled from the water.

"If that's the best you've got, Pride Rock is in trouble." Janna laughed before Sahashi knocked her back into the water.

"Princess! Are you ok!? She's gotten you so messy!" Amahle began to clean Safarina up with meticulous efficiency. However, the princess only sighed when she saw Thato help Janna up.

After Amahle's grooming, Safarina led them through more of the Pride Lands. Including Kilio Valley, Nyani Grove, and the flood plains. Mateo seemed to enjoy the sights more than anyone. Though he grew disappointed upon seeing there were no animals that didn't already live at the Tree of Life.

Still, he, Sahashi, Rae, and Gatimu all enjoyed seeing the placed their parents told them so much about. Safarina's attention remained split between where they were going, and Janna as she walked close to Thato.

Adimu kept herself close to Safarina, as she knew her the best. The hyena princess didn't stop shaking, though. Much to Rae's disappointment.

"We have plenty of hyenas in the Tree of Life, but I've never seen one so afraid. What's got you so scared?"

"I don't know you! Daddy says there are so many bad animals in the world that want to hurt little ones!"

"I'll bet he does." Rae chuckled while Sahashi growled at her.

"That's why animals like Vitani and us are here." Mateo announced.

"You're a guard!?"

"We will be one day. We'll be the great Night Pride! Protectors of the Tree of Life!" Sahashi smiled slightly at Gatimu's proclamation. However, Mateo heard something in the distance.

"What's that?" The eagle flew up high and used his keen sight to look out into the outlands.

"Hapana! There's a battle in the outlands! Someone's attacking Janja!"

"Daddy!" Adimu yipped. Sahashi's heart raced, and he looked towards Safarina.

"We need to do something!"

"Hold on! I promised my parents I wouldn't get into trouble here!" Gatimu and Mateo looked just as weary. However, Rae and Janna looked eager.

"We should at least see what's happening and make sure he's not hurt."

"Zuka Zama! I say we go for it!" Sahashi put his palm against this face.

"It does sound dangerous. You shouldn't go, Safarina!" Amahle pleaded.

"I must! I have the roar. I can do something!" Sahashi felt his nerves tighten, but he tried not to show it.

"Thato, Amahle, go find my aunt and tell her what's happening!" They nodded.

"Be safe, Safarina." The princess blushed a little after hearing Thato's comment. Then, at her lead, the others followed Safarina to a ridge overlooking the outlands.

From there, they saw four spotted hyenas pinned against the canyon walls by over two-dozen striped hyenas. All other nearby animals fled while Janja lay on the ground. The hyena's hide became riddled with bite and claw marks. Blood stained into grass and dirt around Janja.

Standing over his ravaged body was a cheetah. He didn't possess Fuli or Azad's strong demeanors. In fact, he didn't look very threatening at all. The cat didn't appear too much bigger than Sahashi or Safarina. Yet still, he proved victorious over Janja.

"Daddy!" Adimu bellowed out with tears in her eyes. The other spotted hyenas appeared just as horrified and helpless as they stood surrounded.

"Hail Kesho!" A sinister voice cried out. Another striped hyena revealed herself from behind the cheetah. However, unlike the others, this hyena had no fur on her body whatsoever. The plain skin unsettled Sahashi and the others. Even Rae backed up a little upon seeing her.

"That is one ugly hyena." Janna growled.

"I have defeated Janja, and soon I will have the outlands!"

"Enough! I order you to get off him!" Safarina's roar caught the cheetah's attention, and he quickly looked up at her.

"Ahh, the princess of Pride Rock! How fitting she sees your first victory!" The bald hyena snarled with terrible satisfaction.

"This is your only warning!" Safarina's growl made the wind pick up, and for a brief moment, Mateo noticed pure terror on Kesho's face.

"Our work here is done. We'll be back, though." The hyena snapped Kesho back to his composure, and they quickly departed with the others.

"Daddy!"

"Janja!" Adimu sprinted down the ridge with the other spotted hyenas. When she reached her father, Adimu heard him whine and pant with his tongue out. Tears filled Adimu's eyes as she tried to lick his injuries.

Later that night, Sahashi and the others sat before Kion, Kiara, Kovu, and his grandparents.

"What's the news on Janja?" Kion asked with true sincerity. Jasiri took a deep breath. Pain filled her eyes, but also a great relief.

"He took quite a punishment, but he should recover with time. Thank you for helping him, princess." Kiara, Kovu, and Vitani nuzzled Safarina for a moment. Proud expressions lingered on their faces.

"Who is this, Kesho?" Nala growled.

"Janja's men said he showed up with that band of hyenas earlier to challenge him. Janja agreed, but after taking one claw strike, it was like he got dizzy and couldn't fight."

"He'll be back. That's for certain." Simba growled.

"I hope he is. I'll teach that fool what happens when you hurt my mate!" Jasiri snarled. Kion took a deep breath and came closer.

"I wish I could stay to help, but-"

"You have a kingdom to run. It's fine. I can handle this mongrel."

"And we certainly can." Vitani snapped. Kion said his goodbyes to Simba, Nala, Kiara, and Kovu before returning to Sahashi.

"I'll be back to get you in two weeks. Be good for your aunt and grandparents."

"Yes, dad." Kion saw the subtle anxiety in his son's eyes and glanced back at Safarina for a moment.

"Sahashi. You know who you're named after, right?"

"Mom's dad. He died with grandma before I was born."

"That's right. I never got to meet him. But your mother's uncle told me everything I needed to know. He ran the Night Pride just like you will. He protected the Tree of Life so well that most animals thought of it only as a myth. He did all of this without the roar." Sahahashi felt his father's paw against his chin and looked up at him.

"You don't need it to be a great leader or protector. Promise me you'll remember that."

"I promise."

Author's note

The new villain reveals himself, but he is more than he appears.

Yes, Rafiki passed away, it only made sense given how much time has passed. Also, Nefu is not an OC, he really is Rafiki's nephew from Timon and Pumbaa. Yes, I remember that show.

So many characters, so little time, there will be more greetings to come

So until next time,

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