I wonder what's got these two sides going against each other? Hopefully Gabriel and friends will be able to solve the case!
Episode 32: Pride Lands Vs. Wakanda?
Heading into the Pride Lands proper, Gabriel, Jasiri, Janja, and Madoa followed the sounds of conflict until they reached one of the edges of the lion territory, where a group of lions were facing off against a group of humans.
"Huh, you don't see that every day," Janja said. "Humans normally don't come out this far, at least not without their moving machines."
"Those are called cars, Janja," Gabriel corrected. "Anyway, I guess we should get in there and figure out what's going on."
"I think we should let you two take the lead, considering that you both have magic," Madoa pointed out.
Gabriel and Jasiri nodded, activating their powers to disrupt the fighting. Gabriel put up a shield to block incoming spear attacks from the humans, while Jasiri jumped in front of the lions and summoned an illusionary hyena pack to stop them in their tracks.
"O-Kay let's settle down here!" Gabriel shouted. "What is going on here?"
Vitani, the leader of the lions, gave a growl before noticing Jasiri. "Jasiri? What are you doing here?" the lioness asked.
"We're here because we heard your Roar all the way from Broken Rock," Jasiri said. She gestured to Gabriel. "Gabriel's job is to help people's problems, which there is clearly one going on here."
"These humans invaded the Pride Lands, unprovoked," Vitani said. "We were just driving them back to where they belong."
One of the humans stepped forward, whom Gabriel now recognized as the Dora Milaje, Wakanda's warrior women and security force of the Black Panther. "We came here to take back what was stolen by these lions from Wakanda," Okoye, the leader of the Dora Milaje, said.
Jasiri raised an eyebrow at that. "That doesn't sound like anything one of the lions from the Pride Lands would do, except maybe Scar or Zira."
"And both of them have been banished," Vitani stated.
"It's not like the Dora Milaje to just randomly attack people outside of their country, though," Gabriel pointed out.
"Either way, we have come to take back the Vibranium you stole," Okoye said. "We found animal prints in our mines where it was stolen, as well as structural damage that could only have been done with a sonic attack."
"I mean, that does make it sound like Vitani," Janja said.
Shabaha, the Bravest of Vitani's guard, stalked over to the hyena and gave a manic grin. "You wanna say that again, little hyena?" she threatened.
Janja gulped and gave a nervous laugh. "I mean, it obviously wasn't her, but the evidence makes it sound that way, right?"
"Janja has a point," Madoa defended. "Perhaps instead of fighting, we should all work together to figure this out."
"Work with humans? Don't make me laugh," Kasi, the Fastest of the guard, said.
"They only come here to hunt or to shine lights in our faces," Tazama, the Keenest of Sight, added.
"Whatever we do is up to you, Vitani," said Imara, the Strongest.
"The Dora Milaje are also hesitant to work with outsiders," Okoye said. "While we have opened our boarders, working with humans is much different than working with animals."
"I mean, you guys aren't that different," Gabriel said, taking a stance between Okoye and Vitani. "Think about it: both of you lead groups of powerful women to defend your land from outsiders and keep the peace inside your territory as well. Plus both of your leaders are cats, or cat-themed in the Black Panther's case."
The two leaders looked at each other, then shook their heads. "I can't see it," Vitani said, Okoye nodding in agreement.
"Gabriel, isn't there a way that we can make them see eye-to-eye?" Jasiri asked.
The raven thought about it, then snapped his fingers in realization. "I think I do have something that might work. I'll need you three's help as well, though." He leaded down and whispered to them.
"Oh, that just might work!" Jasiri said.
"It's worth a shot at least," Madoa agreed.
"If you think so," Janja said wearily.
Gabriel stood back up and tapped his fingers like conductors' batons. "If there's one way to get your feelings out and get a point across, it's through song." He then moved his wings, making music start to play that wrapped around everyone, compelling them to follow along with the song.
Vitani:
You think that life is one big game
You hunt, you fight, you take no blame
I'm telling you, there's just no way that we're the same
Going along with the song, Vitani said her verse directly at Okoye, growling a bit at the end.
Gabriel:
You've got to look past what you see
Try not to judge so easily
Gabriel stepped between the two again.
Believe it or not, you're a lot like me
Say believe it or not, you're a lot like me!
Jasiri jumped in next to him, ready to sing her signature song, with Janja and Madoa backing her up.
Jasiri:
Sisi ni sawa means we're the same
Okoye looked confused at the raven and hyenas.
Okoye:
I hear what you're saying, but you need to explain!
Jasiri and Gabriel shared a look before replying to her.
Gabriel & Jasiri:
At the end of the day, it's like water and rain
Sisi ni sawa, we are the same!
The four of them did a little dance break before continuing on with the song. Gabriel took Okoye's arm as he sang the next part.
Gabriel:
Maybe you laugh, maybe she purrs
But take a look under the fur
Deep in our heart is what matters for sure
Gabriel gestured between Okoye and Vitani, explaining how similar they really were. Jasiri brought Vitani with her as she sang her verse.
Jasiri:
'Cause we all know a higher call
Like every creature big and small
The Circle of Life should be what's guiding us all
The Circle of Life will guide us all!
Gabriel and Jasiri came back together as the chorus kicked in, with Madoa and Janja taking the lead this time.
Madoa and Janja:
Sisi ni sawa means we're the same!
Gabriel:
Though you've got your spots, and I have a mane!
Gabriel playfully ruffled Jasiri's head, while she did the same to him.
Madoa and Janja:
At the end of the day, it's like water and rain
Sisi ni sawa, we are the same!
Sisi ni sawa, we are the same!
The four of them had another dance break, but Okoye and Vitani joined in as well. The music was starting to speak to them.
Okoye:
Never thought that we'd see eye-to-eye
Madoa:
I can't imagine why
It's very easy if you try!
Vitani and Okoye did a solo dance as they sang their parts.
Vitani:
Still, to me, they're brand new thoughts
Not to judge human by their walks!
Jasiri:
Sisi ni sawa!
The two groups came together as their leaders did, pairing up for the bridge before the final chorus.
Janja:
Sisi ni sawa means we're the same!
Jasiri:
Forget about the past
When there's nothing to gain
The two hyenas shared a look of friendship, happy to be past their earlier misunderstanding.
Everyone:
At the end of the day, it's like water and rain
Sisi ni sawa, we are the same!
Sisi ni sawa means we're the same
Forget about the past when there's nothing to gain
Gabriel and Jasiri danced together as their magic combined, lighting up the area as they brought the song to a close.
At the end of the day, it's like water and rain
Sisi ni sawa, we are the same!
Sisi ni sawa, we are the same!
Jasiri:
Sisi ni sawa, we are the same!
With the song concluded, both groups gave a laugh, the tension in the air gone as they had come to an understanding with each other.
"As cheesy as this play was, it worked really well!" Janja laughed.
"I guess once you look past what species we are, the two of us are pretty similar, aren't we?" Vitani said, getting a nod from Okoye.
"The really question now, though, is who stole the Vibranium from us," Okoye pointed out.
Tazama's head perked up suddenly. "I see movement behind those rocks over there," she said.
"I'll check it out!" Kasi said. She ran over there with speed usually unseen in a lion, then came back just as fast. "There's a creepy guy with a metal hand watching us all over there."
"A metal hand you say?" Okoye's eyes narrowed.
The teams went over to the rocks to see a man in a red and purple jumpsuit trying to make a getaway, only to be stopped when Okoye tossed her spear at him, barely missing him but acting as a threat, nonetheless. He turned around and fired a sonic beam at the group, but Gabriel put up a shield in time to defend them.
"Ulysses Klaw, I should have guessed," Okoye shook her head. "Of course you would sneak in and try to steal our Vibranium, just as you always do."
"Okay, that explains the sonic attacks, but not the animal tracks," Gabriel pointed out.
"That would be," said a devious voice. Jumping over the group, Imara only had a little time to bat the newcomer away and over to Klaw, revealing themselves to a leopard with pale yellow fur. "We were trying to distract you so we could steal more, but I guess that plan's done for now."
"Makucha, Kion told me about you," Vitani growled.
"And would look at that, the replacement Lion Guard," Makucha taunted. "I have no problem with you, Vitani, but when Klaw offered me a way to get the Pride Lands defenders out of the way, well, I couldn't say no to that."
"Well, your plan to get them to fight failed," Jasiri said.
"Yeah, so pack your things and go home!" Janja added.
"Or we can just take you all out now!" Klaw said, firing his sonic cannon again.
Gabriel blocked the attack again, with Okoye and the Lion Guard helping him to hold the shield together.
"You guys thought this was like my roar?" Vitani laughed. "How about I show you what a real Roar sounds like."
The leader of the Lion Guard reared back, then let out a piercing roar that caused the clouds above to take the shape of roaring lions. Gabriel dropped the shield and let the Roar of Elders do its thing, sending Klaw and Makucha flying over the horizon, both villains cursing the heroes as they did so.
"And stay out of both the Pride Lands and Wakanda!" Gabriel shouted.
Okoye nodded in approval. "Gabriel, Jasiri, thank you for helping both of our countries today. You are welcome to Wakanda anytime."
"Same goes for the Pride Lands as well," Vitani nodded.
"Just glad that we settled your conflict and dealt with the real bad guys," Gabriel said.
"Now then, how about we go back to my clan so you can meet the rest of them," Jasiri said.
Janja's stomach growled. "Think we could pick up some food on the way there? All that singing and dancing made me hungry."
"I'll get us something to eat, don't worry," Gabriel said.
With one last laugh, the groups said their goodbyes and went their separate ways, all of them a bit more understanding of the others and ready to defend their lands again if any evildoers tried to disrupt the Circle of Life.
Author's Note
Luckily our heroes were there to solve to problem before anyone got majorly hurt, right? I have to say that it's cool that Vitani got to become leader of the Lion Guard, especially considering that she's a fan favorite character that honestly didn't get a lot to do in Lion King 2. Also, once I saw that her Lion Guard was an all-female team, I just had to do a chapter with them interacting with the Dora Milaje.
This chapter was also an excuse for me to use "Sisi Ni Sawa," Jasiri's song from the Lion Guard show. If you haven't heard it before, go do so because it's really fun and Jasiri's actress has an amazing singing voice. It's in my Top 5 for Lion King songs for sure.
Next Time: Let's meet some upcoming Disney stars as we look towards the new year!
