~Episode twenty: Return To The Pridelands~
~Part Two~
(AU; no Lion Guard competition; continued)
"We're almost there.." Kion remarked after a while. "Anga? Ono? See anything?"
The two birds flew up a bit higher and focused for a better view, one's eyes reaching further than the other's for obvious reasoning.
"Yup." Anga replied. "And you're not gonna believe it.."
A grunt finally reached their ears making them all stop in confusion. But when another blow shook a tree, followed by another grunt. It only took about another couple of repeats to this cycle to decipher the situation in a matter of moments.
"Kifaru?.." Beshte vocalized.
"Oof.. Beshte? Ahf!" The rhino's horn caught the trunk of a tree and he tried to yank it free.
"Well that explains a lot." Fuli mentioned with a knowing smile to Kion, who returned one.
"Ok Galagos.. It's ok.." Kion told the frightened creatures still clinging to their hides. "We'll just find Mwenzi and escort Kifaru back to where he belongs."
"Oh.. thank you,.. thank you!" Laini praised, hugging Kion's head tight enough to make him wince from her pulling a few hairs of his mane.
"Anga,.. Ono.. mind taking a look for Mwenzi for us?" Kion went on, peering up at them with one eye.
"Yup."
"Affirmative!" The two birds responded, then took off into the sky.
"Beshte, Fuli,.. Let's get him outta there.." The young leader continued. "Then we can start heading back to Kifaru's real home."
"You got it!" Fuli nodded.
"Good idea!" Beshte agreed. Fuli, Beshte, and Kion made their way around the rhino to face him shoulder to shoulder, each preparing themselves for the strain ahead.
"Twende Kiboko!" Beshte called, beginning to push. Kion and Fuli joined in with him and they all groaned as they pushed together. Kifaru pulled with all his might, then Bunga hopped up onto his smaller horn.
"Come on.. rhino,.. pull!" He said, yanking on the horn he was hanging on. Wood began to creak and splinters flicked at their hides, but finally they all fell forward when Kifaru's horn released. And even he had to stumble backwards, making the Galagos scatter.
Bunga finally opened his eyes as he now lay flat on Kifaru's nose. And when the rhino opened his eyes, he was almost surprised with how clearly he could see the honey badger.
"Oh,.. you finally came back!" Kifaru breathed, smiling.
"We sure did." Beshte smiled. "How' you been?"
Kifaru finally stood as Bunga hopped down off his face.
"Pretty good," he said. "Quiet, now that we're not fighting the Outlanders anymore."
"Oh I bet!" The hippo smiled.
"So how'd you get all the way over here in the Galagos' territory?" Kion asked, all of them smiling up at him.
"I gav-.."
"Let me guess.." Fuli interjected. "You gave Mwenzi the day off?"
"Well yeah, actually." Kifaru answered back, surprised that she'd guessed.
"Word of advice?.." the cheetah ventured. "Don't give him the day off without finding a replacement."
"Hmm.. I might actually do that." The old rhino decided, after a moment of thought. "Thank you!" Though when he intended to walk away, he hit another tree with the side of his head and his horns caught in the branches. So that when he tried to yank them free, he would shake the tree,.. with the Galagos in it!
"Waa..aaah..aaaah..help!" Laini cried, with the rest of her fellow Galagos.
"Hang on, Laini!" Kion called. "We'll take care of this!" Then he turned to his team.
"Bunga?" He addressed his best friend, suggestive of something the honey badger knew right away.
"You got it!" Bunga responded, slamming a fist into his hand, then climbing the tree with ease. Using all four limbs, he spread the branches wide so that Kifaru could easily slide his horns out of this organic snare.
"Great work, Bunga!" Kion praised. "Now, to get him back home."
Bunga hopped down from the tree, as Fuli and Beshte turned to join their leader in leading the way out of Ndefu Grove and into the open Savannah.
"Too bad Ono's not here," Kion mentioned, shrugging one shoulder as they walked. "We could've had him stand in for the tickbirds till we find Mwenzi,.. or another tickbird to take over until he returns."
"Oh well." Fuli smirked. "Still though, it was kinda nice getting to rescue someone in the Pridelands again.. wasn't it?" And Kion's glance lightened.
"Oh,.. um.. yeah." He said lightly. "I guess it was." He smiled and it gave her what she needed to overtake him and assume the lead,.. so to speak.
And even though his smile remained, he couldn't stop it from slightly leveling off; even as he continued to follow amongst his friends.
XXXX
"Hey, Kion.. how 'bout a quick trek through Mizimu Grove?" Beshte suggested, happening to notice the familiarity of the landscape currently around them. "'See how it looks since the elephants reclaimed it, after we left."
"Sounds like a good idea, Beshte." Kion agreed lightly, veering off to their right to lead them onwards.
xxxx
"Beshte!" The young elephant of the group exclaimed, when he turned toward their approach. Racing over to meet them, he nuzzled heads with Beshte once again, his size measureable to the hippo despite the growth they had both undergone.
"Wow, Mtoto." Kion spoke up. "You really have grown since we last saw you."
"I sure have!" Mtoto gushed. "And guess what! I've been practicing my skills, just like you told me to!" Though his ecstatic praise was more directed towards Beshte, they all felt that same pride come over them.
"I bet you're doing great, Mtoto." Beshte smiled. "Why don't you show us what you've been up to since we've been gone. I'd love to see what you got."
"Poa! Let's go!" Mtoto reeled, leading the team away, even though one among them slowed out of the group's path; making another pause and double back.
"Kion? You coming?" Fuli asked, turning back toward him.
Kion stared to his right, but soon came to attention at her addressment.
"Uhh- yeah.. right behind you." Kion answered, beginning to follow once again, when motion was caught to his right that stopped him once again.
"Kion,.. on behalf of the elephants, we welcome you all home to the Pridelands." Ma Tembo greeted, nodding her respects as usual. "It's good to have you back. I trust you found what you were looking for."
"That?.. and more." Kion confirmed, nodding in return. "I'm just glad we were able to get you and your herd your land back."
"And if it wasn't for you and your team.. that would be something we could only dream about." Ma Tembo returned. "So thank you once again, for your sacrifice."
"No problem, Ma Tembo." Kion smiled. "It's what we do." This reaction made Fuli smile, but a part of her still nagged; even as she pushed it away to follow the group far ahead of her by now.
XXXX
Soft chalky ground crumbled beneath their feet, sprouts of long wispy hairs flowed with the luscious colors of life. The complementary presence of stripes and gold seemed to bring even more activity to the great Mbali Fields.
"Man.. this place is looking even more beautiful than when we left!" Ono commented.
"Yeah,.. isn't it unbungalievable?" Bunga agreed, as they strolled on through the grazing herds.
"Bunga?" A voice they knew right away addressed them, making them all freeze;.. especially a certain honey badger.
"Muhimu?" Bunga replied, stopping to glance loosely off his right shoulder, then turned around to see the zebra leader standing there.
"It's so good to see you again." Muhimu said, and her eyes meant it deeply.
"Oh hey thanks." Bunga smiled.. but before he continued a little snort earned his attention, as Muhimu glanced to her left as young Hamu approached with a confident stride that indicated that of remembrance.
"Hey.." Bunga marveled.
Hamu approached Bunga to sniff him for a couple brief moments.
"Bunga!" The little zebra said, tossing his head up, stopping the remaining Guard to look back as well.
"Woah!" Bunga breathed.
"Would you look at that!" Beshte remarked, as he and his friends arrived to stand with their honey badger friend. "He remembers you!"
Hamu had noticeably grown, nearly double the size he was as a baby.. and just as friendly by the look in his eyes.
He snorted and his mother smiled.
"We've both missed you since you left." The zebra leader told Bunga. "How are you feeling, Kion? We.. heard about what happened.."
"Much better." Kion smiled, nodding. "Thanks Muhimu.. all healed up."
"Hoh,.. -I'm so glad." Muhimu sighed with relief. "-I hope things will go back to normal for you guys soon.. and.. maybe give us our best babysitter perhaps?" The suggestive tone that followed this last statement peaked attention, which set the Guard's sights on the confident honey badger, Ono and Fuli developing odd expressions from dropping their earlier smiles.
"Who else would it be?" Bunga shrugged, when noticing their expressions on either side of him.
"Wonderful!" Muhimu beamed. "Oh.. well I suppose we'd better let you continue your patrol.. and I guess we'll be seeing you again soon!" She and Hamu turned to leave.
"Wait till everyone hears that you're back!"
Though this statement may not have been meant for them to hear, it brought a chuckle to the group, as they turned to continue their purposeful stroll through the vast field of green.
XXXX
It's kind of hot today..
The sun's pretty bright..
Kind of reminds me of something.. but not sure what..
"Kion?.."
"Huh?" Diverting his hazed glance, he cleared it to find the odd state of Fuli walking beside him with her trademark look of concern.
"What?" Kion asked, drawing a blank for a reason for this.
"I've been trying to talk to you since we left the flood plains." The cheetah told him.
"You have?" Kion answered, still confused.
"Are you ok?" Fuli asked, halting mid-stride and making everyone among them do the same.
Then Kion finally recognized the concern that surrounded him with soft, thoughtful yet patient eyes.
"Yeah.." he said finally, lowering his head and gaze toward the ground. "Just had a lot on my mind lately."
"Between my healing.. and my roar... The journey we took to get here?.. and.. needing to be rescued because of the Roar.. finally getting back is a lot to think about.. especially given all that has happened while we were gone.. with Zira.."
"Hey.." Kion eyes shot up with the abrupt interjection.
"You.. don't have to worry about Zira.." Fuli asserted. "She's gone now.. which means the Pridelands can rest assured that they are once again free from the influence of evil lions like Scar?.. and Zira."
"That's just it.." Kion declined, turning away from her to walk a couple paces from her.
"If I hadn't gotten my scar, maybe none of this would've happened."
"You can't say that for sure." Fuli countered. "We all know Zira was loyal to Scar.. I'm sure it was just a matter of time. Besides.. she was preparing Kovu to assassinate Simba this whole time.. maybe she wasn't finished until the time where this all started. While we were gone,.. it's probably just a coincidence. Getting your scar had nothing to do with it."
"Even Kiara said this all happened completely out of nowhere.." Ono recalled, hopping forward once to be closer to his leader from the left side.
"Right." Fuli agreed. "And she also said she tried to help her.. but Zira chose not to take it.. that's what ended her life."
"Sounds to me like it wasn't anyone's fault but hers." Beshte commented, making Kion turn back toward them.
"And you don't get to feel guilty about it." The cheetah reinforced, getting in close proximity to his face in saying this.
"Sounds like nothing you could've done would have changed her mind." Anga added, as Fuli stepped back to be among the rest of the group, all facing Kion directly.
"Yeah, but-"
"Having the Roar doesn't mean you can solve every problem, remember?.." Fuli reminded him. "And you didn't even know all it could really do back then.. you were better off learning ALL about it and getting the healing you needed, more than trying to stop a war.. we already did that when we took down Scar and his army."
"Mm.. yes.. no one creature can sway the objective of a tyrant.." a voice said. And the rock that Ono had landed on moved, exposing a friendly head.
"Welcome back, young Kion,.. you and your friends have seen much change since leaving and then returning.." The old tortoise beamed.
"Kongwe?" The Guard said.
"Yes.. just as bright as ever.." the tortoise mused. "And far more wise to the trials of this life.. even with all the distraction still working.. including that which is right in front of us.."
"Uhh,.. does she know more than we do" Bunga wondered in confusion.
"Heh,.. it's the way of the wise,.." Fuli sighed in her slightly amused experience. "Just go with it."
Then Kongwe turned to meet Kion's eyes directly.
"You see a new path,.." she said, neither questioning nor telling,.. "Just don't fear taking it.."
And Kion couldn't shake the feeling that came with this.. though it had become just foreign enough not to know it completely.
XXXX
"Almost through patrol.." Kion remarked as they came over a ridge allowing full view of Pride Rock. "Let's finish up so we can go take a rest at the Lair."
"Lion Guard!" Wailed a voice.
"Ooor not." Bunga sighed, rolling his eyes back.
Shadows whooshed by them then circled around, as the feathered owners of said shadows flapped into a landing right in front of them.
"I'm afraid your first day back isn't finished."
"Hadithi?!" Ono and Anga exclaimed in unison.
"Yes.. it is I." The grand old eagle beamed, the hamerkop beside him smiling in meeting his brief gaze.
"Kulinda? I didn't realize you were on the Bird patrols." Beshte mentioned, mainly intrigued by her presence.
"Oh, we'll I started after you and your friends left for the Tree of Life.." Kulinda replied simply. "Hearing about what happened to Kion and poor Ono,.. it made me realize that I'm not doing enough to help the animals that live in the Pridelands.. and the ones who have risked their very lives for us time and time again.."
"But there's no more time to lose." Hadithi said. "Your immediate assistance has been requested on behalf of a Serval mother." He paused for barely a moment.
"One of her kittens has found himself in a tree over Magi Baridi Falls.. and could fall if it tries to get down on its own."
"Then we better get moving." Kion decided. "Till the Pridelands End?.."
"Lion Guard, Defend!" The Guard called, responding to their leader by following his charge across the savannah; with all four birds soaring after them.
xxxx
Arriving at the edge, Kion skidded to a stop. His eyes stared at the drop for a while till he sensed other presences joining him, forcing him to look up at them.
Soon though, a frightened yelp drew his attention down again.
"There he is!" Bunga called, pointing.
Sure enough, the small spotted kitten paced his front paws one way, then another looking for a way out.
"Careful, Vijana!" The mother Serval called, standing a fair distance from the base of the cliff practically shielding her other two kittens with her own body.
"And it looks like he's really stuck.." Anga observed.
"The little guy's too scared to move." Beshte said.
"And for once,.. that's kind of a good thing." Kion said, earning slightly surprised glances. "No way a young serval like that should even think about trying to get down from there on his own."
"So, what do we do?" Fuli asked, knowing a plan was already forming in her leader's thoughtful mind.
"Anga,.. do you think you'll be able to fly down and bring him to safety?"
"Uhh.. not sure.." the eagle wavered. "The wind from my wings might cause him to fall.. and my wingspan doesn't do very well in smaller spaces."
"Ok, then it's up to us." Kion decided, glancing at Bunga, who brightened up instantly upon catching on to his meaning.
"Ha-halright!" The honey badger cheered.
"I'll get us down there so I can bridge the gap between the tree's branches and the ledge.." Kion explained. "So Bunga can help the serval climb across my back to safety, so Anga can fly him down to his mother. The ledge leaves a wide enough gap between the tree and the rock wall, that she might be able to get through to bring the serval kitten to safety."
"Kion, are you sure about this?" Fuli wondered. "Believe it or not we still have to be careful ourselves.. I mean.. the land does change with time, right?"
"I know, Fuli, but.. we don't have a lot of options here.." Kion reasoned earnestly. "And you heard Anga.. an air rescue isn't a good idea right now.. Anything else we might normally do would shake the tree too much.. and.. the Roar can't solve this like it did for the zebras.."
Fuli just locked eyes with him.
"Ok.." she sighed. "Just.. be careful, will ya."
"You know it." Kion smiled. "Alright, Bunga, Let's get to it."
"With pleasure!" The honey badger obliged, pumping a fist, then hopping up onto the young lion's back.
Kion then adjusted his footing to back towards the edge.
"Anga, Ono, keep a close eye on the serval.. and look for any signs of trouble." The young leader requested.
"Yup."
"Affirmative.." the two birds responded.
"Wow,.. look at 'em go!" Kulinda marveled to Hadithi, as they watched from a safe, ground level distance. "It's like they never left.."
And even though Kion's ears heard this.. his mind couldn't entertain it at the moment with all the focus he had going into the rocky climb he was making down the rocks. A paw barely slipped and he could feel himself become just slightly uneasy about this as he continued on.
Small shards of rock were loosened and dust shifted with each step, which was enough to pile more tension on his already engaged muscles.. though it was not for the same reasons..
Kion lost his footing, but was able to maintain a grip with his forepaws. Everyone above him jumped and held their breath, as he re-establish all four paws and kept going.
Releasing another hold loosened a stone that fell and shattered on the ledge just below them.
"Careful, Kion.." Ono cautioned. "This ledge doesn't appear as stable as it used to be."
Kion looked down to see the shattered rock and internally sighed.
"Ih.. then let's just hope this works." The young leader managed to say, then continue his descent.
Reaching the bottom was a bit of a relief for everyone.. even the grip on his back had loosened. Turning toward the tree.. he searched and found the kitten staring at him with a begging fear he almost felt himself; but he shook it away instead to make the next move.
"Ok.. now for the tree.." Kion said, trying to sound sure of himself. "Hang on, Bunga."
Approaching the edge, sent more dust off of it. The mother Serval backed down a bit, but stared on as the rescue commenced far above her.
The edge in front of him kept him on edge, but seeing the branch was now in reach, he hesitated slightly before reaching a paw for it and successfully catching a clawed grip on it; which then allowed him to bring the other forward to secure it.
"Ihn.. got it!" Kion strained. "Bunga,.. your turn."
"Zuka Zama!" The honey badger jeered with a more bold confidence. Then standing up on his friend's back, he was able to climb up over Kion's shoulders and leap off his head to balance himself across the branch toward the little kitten.
"Alright, little guy.. time to get rescued." Bunga said, holding an arm out to the frightened little creature.
Vijana shrunk down at first but then started to come forward, right as a crack dropped the edge of the rock under Kion just a little.
The drop caused Kion to lose the grip of one paw on the branch, making everyone gasp. And it also increased the length of the gap making it more of a stretch on his limbs, to the point he feared it to be too much to maintain.
Bunga and the kitten gripped the branch as it bobbled from the sudden jolt, the kitten squealing with the fear that gripped him.
"Hapana.." Ono murmured.
"The ground is much more unstable than we realized." He told Anga. "We need a new plan fast."
"Ihn.. Ono?! See if you can get Beshte to brace the wall right below us.." Kion groaned, holding his newly recovered grip in place.
"Great idea!.. Beshte?.."
"Already on it, Ono!" The hippo called, having heard the whole thing. Then he and Fuli disappeared from the top of the cliff.
"Great, hang in there, Kion.." Ono told his friend. "Help is on the way.."
By now his paws had begun to fatigue from the slow climb, and were now beginning to shake, making it harder and harder to hold on.
Beshte and Fuli reached the base of the cliff where the water from the falls misted them over. And while normally Fuli would avoid any contact, even in the slightest,.. she hardly seemed bothered as she stood her front paws upon the wall, while Beshte braced it with his body; hoping to view their friends better.
Kion groaned further.
"Bunga?!" He forced himself to say,.. hoping his friend knew what he wanted to know.
"All ready!" Bunga called, holding the baby serval tightly in hand. Then with a small running start.. he leaped from the branch to slide smoothly down Kion's back to the ledge once again.
"Your turn, Anga!" The honey badger followed up, holding the kitten over his head in both hands.
"Coming down.." the eagle said, swooping in to receive the baby serval and carefully flying it down to the anxiously waiting mother, who accepted it with relieved licks and a lot of thank yous.
"The serval's safe!" Fuli called. "Now Bunga, Kion, get out of there!"
Kion abruptly peeled himself back from the branch, as more rocks seemed to loosen around them.
"The ridge is coming apart,.." Kion cried. "Bunga! Move, now!" The two friends fled down the rocks with an athleticism neither of them had felt in a while. And as they approached one last ledge, they knew at the same moment what they needed to do.
But when it came time to jump, the ground under one of them dropped!…
~to be continued..~
Hello everyone! Finally back with a new chapter! Man, it's getting harder and harder to write lately! But I'm hoping once I move it won't be.. and again I apologize for the late posting, but I hope it's worth it! And with that.. I'll see you in two weeks! Thx!