That evening, Mariel and Makini reached the hideout of the Lion Guard. They were hiding in the same jungle where Savannah and Saba's ancestor Simba had once hidden from Scar. Makini introduced Mariel to them all. There was a badger named Bunga, a cheetah named Fuli, a hippo named Beshte, and an eagle named Anga.
Makini then told the Lion Guard how Kion had sacrificed himself for them. They were saddened to hear the news of their leader's death.
"How can we be the Lion Guard without a lion to lead us?" Beshte wondered, tears filling his big hippo eyes.
"Well, once we break young Saba out of prison, I guess he'll be our new leader, and Savannah will be the new queen," said Fuli.
"Kion seemed like a very brave lion," Mariel said. "I only met him for about a second, but it's thanks to him that I'm standing talking to you now. I will join forces with you to avenge him. I swear it on my Gullwhacker!" She lifted her vine in the air. (She had not lost it in the stampede because she wrapped it around her waist.)
Just then the trees began to rustle. The next instant, Savannah, Saba, Joshy, and Spike all burst through the forest canopy, looking none the worse for wear.
"It's Savannah and Saba!" Bunga cheered. "And a dragon!"
"Hello," Spike said. "My name's Spike."
All the Lion Guard members and Makini bowed down before Savannah. "All hail the new queen," Makini proclaimed.
"Thanks, but I won't be the queen until we take back the throne," Savannah said.
Just then, Rainbow Dash appeared, flying in the sky. She looked down and saw Mariel and all the others. "Hey-hey, Storm!" she cried. That was her nickname for Mariel. "We finally found you!"
"Rainbow Dash!" Mariel exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"
"We heard you were in trouble, so we came looking for you. Your father's here too, and Twilight Sparkle, and a bunch of others. They're coming this way in a ship- I flew on ahead to scout out the land."
Even as Rainbow Dash said it, the ship appeared, sailing down the river. One of Fishgill's searats dropped the anchor, and Joseph and Twilight were the first to disembark. They ran straight up to Mariel and Spike.
"Father!"
"Daughter!"
"Spike!"
"Twilight!"
Soon enough, everybody else got out of the boat. All around, old friends were reunited, and new ones were introduced to each other.
"We will battle Scar's forces tomorrow," said Queen Savannah. "But first, let's get some sleep. It's been a long day."
