Well, here is the final part of Journey to the Lowland Pride. Next chapter is another bonus and after that, the fun begins as Kion takes on Muuaji. Hope you enjoy chapter 18.

—TLK—

"Just past this swamp… just past this swamp and several miles past, we'll reach the Lowlands." Kion thought in annoyance as the thick mud weighed down on his fur. He shakes his head trying to get rid of the insects buzzing in his ears. This has been a long journey going one way and yet, the journey back haunts him before it even starts.

Faizah led Kion and Mlezi through the dark channels of this swamp; not a single hint of daylight could be seen. Mud covers them from head to paw, but that's the least of their worries, several crocodiles could be lurking anywhere in the murky water and mud; just waiting for the three to get close enough to attack. The floating logs and brush made it difficult to tell where they might be waiting. Kion wished they would have gone around the swamp, but in doing so would add another day or two to their journey. For a swamp, this place stays quiet; the eerie silence amplifying their movements through the water; not a word being exchanged between the lions. As they struggle to press on, a sudden screech splits the quiet air.

"KION! TO YOUR LEFT!"

Suddenly a crocodile lunges at him; he barely escapes its jaws thanks to the warning. But the croc still came towards him. He feels the powerful jaws again, the scaly armored snout of the croc brushing against his paw as he jumps out of the way. Faizah lunges at the croc, swiping at its eyes, giving Kion time to escape. Suddenly the croc retreats in agony as one of Faizah's claws meets its mark, digging deep into its left eye. Kion retreats to the bank, pulling himself out of the mud onto semi-dry land. He breathes heavily as his heart pounds in his chest.

"You alright?" Mlezi asks the lion as she comes up next to him.

"Yeah, I'm good. But let's not tell Vitani about that little incident." He chuckles nervously as he struggles to regain his breath.

"That was definitely too close for comfort." Faizah responds in concern as she too comes forth.

"Sure was. We're definitely going around on the way back." Kion replies to the lionesses. "Thanks for the warning."

The sisters look at each other in puzzlement before turning back to him. "That wasn't us." Mlezi responds. Kion looks at the two in astonishment.

"No it wasn't." Kion's heart skips a beat as the voice sounds above them. He looks up into a tree to see a familiar female martial eagle.

"Anga…?" Kion watches the eagle in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

Anga spreads her wings and glides down next to the lions before replying. "A 'thank you' would be nice, and I could ask you the same."

Kion stares at the eagle with a raised eyebrow; Anga returns it with a stern look of her own, her eyes never blinking as she waits for him to speak.

"Th… thanks, I guess." Kion answers with hesitation.

"That'll do." The eagle responds emotionless. "So where are you going? The last I heard, you declared war against the Pridelands." She accuses the lion.

"It's really none of your business." Kion growls.

Mlezi and Faizah just stoodby, watching the two as they went from a friendly greeting to hostile exchange of words. They even turn to one another to see if this made sense at all to the other or if they even knew this… Anga by any chance.

"So then it's true, you're on your way to gather more numbers for your own army, and attack the Pridelands." Anga infers.

"I'm on my way to help the Lowlanders remove the one who destroyed their home and pride mates." Kion scoffs disapprovingly.

Anga flies into the air, almost hovering, far enough away from Kion's reach in case he decides to attack. Then she adds onto his words. "...and use them to attack the Pridelands."

"To offer them a new home…" Kion counters as he digs his claws into the soft earth beneath him.

"Well good luck with that." Anga replies, not at all convinced by his words. She begins to fly away but stops. "By the way, if you're looking for a better way to get to the Lowlands, two banks over there's a path that will lead you right out of the swamp. It'll be safer than trudging through the mud all day." She nods her head behind them before flying off.

"Well, that was interesting." Faizah speaks out as the three look out after the eagle.

"So, what now?" Mlezi asks.

"We go to that bank and get out of this swamp." Kion answers, still annoyed with the encounter with a former friend.

"What if she's lying?" Faizah asks in concern.

"She isn't." Kion responds, very well aware that Anga doesn't lie. "Let's go."

—TLK—

"So tell me again, how do you know that eagle" Mlezi asks as they made their way down the pathway Anga directed them to.

"Back when I was leader of the Lion Guard she helped us in the war against Scar and his army." Kion rolls his eyes as he swears this had to have been the fourth time he's answered the same question to the same lioness.

"Okay, okay… but let me get this straight…"

"Mlezi, shut up…" Faizah cuts Mlezi off before she could finish. "Looks like we're coming to the end of the swamp." She nods straight ahead as light marks the exit they all so longed for.

They pick up their pace, and finally breached through the darkness of the swamp, out into the open air, which had now become orange as the sun began to set yet again.

"We're almost to the Lowlands." Mlezi turns to Kion. "There's a nearby den Tumaini and I stayed in that we can use to gather the rest of the lionesses to plan everything out."

"That's a good idea, I don't want to go marching across the border when Muuaji and his lionesses are skulking around. We might not make it very far across." Kion answers.

"Then it's agreed; tomorrow night, when the sun isn't overhead to give us away, Mlezi and I will cross and gather everyone up who's willing to fight and bring them to you; then we can run our claws against Muuaji's throat." Faizah looks to the lion in excitement. Kion gives her a reassuring grin, approving the lioness's enthusiasm.

"You'll be a good addition to the family." He responds.

With that being said, Mlezi led the two others to the den. It didn't take them very long to reach the den, right next to a dried up creek. Kion stares at the opening and scoffs as the old stale scent of a leopard imprints itself in the walls of the den.

"Not a fan of leopards?" Faizah asks.

"No, I'm not. You can thank Makucha for that." Kion replies to the lioness. "This den will work, can't afford to be picky." The three lions disappear inside, waiting for their opportunity the following night.

—TLK—

Kion paces back and forth in the dark den, waiting for Faizah and Mlezi to return with the other lionesses. He's been waiting for nearly the whole night and the crack of dawn begins to reveal the land. With every passing minute, his patience wears thin. Finally, movement from outside catches his attention, followed by the call of his name.

"Kion, I'm back." Mlezi's voice echoes quietly throughout the walls of the den.

Kion steps out to see six lions huddled together behind Mlezi; Faizah is not among them.

"Where's Faizah?" Kion eyes the lioness.

A young light brown lioness with hazel eyes, just barely his own age steps forward."She's gone to get three others and their cubs."

Kion dips his head in understanding.

"This is Akilah, one of the best hunters in the Lowlands; young, strong and good in a fight " Mlezi introduces.

Kion dips his head in greeting. "Looking forward to seeing you in action."

Another lioness steps forward. "Mlezi told us why you've come to help. So you're the king of your own pride?"

"Not officially; but when Vitani and myself take our place at the top of Pride Rock…" suddenly the voice of Faizah cuts him off.

"Introductions are going to have to wait, Muuaji knows and is on his way with the rest of his lions." The lioness breathes heavily as three other lionesses follow with bundles of fur hanging from their mouths.

—TLK—

I know what you guys are thinking… "but didn't Anga die with the rest of the Guard?" No she did not. In Kion's Betrayal, she was never part of the Lion Guard so she was never involved in the incident. She still helped out and all; but I'll explain in the prequel along with a lot more plot holes. All will be answered later.

{comments}

RyanSquad: Agreed.

Willian: No Problem.

Kia: You're welcome. As for Vitani's secret, you'll just have to wait and see.

Kerana: Yes I did, and I can honestly say that you don't need to worry about Nala or Kiara.

Marra: I don't know what happened between you and another guest reader but keep it out of this story. I'll delete any comments that cause problems from you or any other readers, so keep that shit to yourself. As for another book, I'm not starting on another until I finish this one.