"So, what are you going to do now?" Ganaji asked,
"I have to find a cub and a traitor," Kali replied, "You can stay here in the Tree of Life if you want to"
"Well, Kali, I was about to say…" Ganaji smiled "let me join you"
"Hm? Why?"
"I'm bored, there's not much to do," Ganaji replied "besides, I really am impressed by your work, I would want to work with someone like you"
"Very well, let's go"
"Hold on, before we get started, do you have information regarding the traitor and his cub?" Ganaji asked,
"The traitor's name is Mheetu. Apparently, he was Ruudhi's friend before he betrayed the empire," Kali replied, "And the cub's name… I don't know"
"Then how will we find them? We need full information about these two, so we can find them first," Ganaji noted
"Before he moved to the Umojelands, he used to reside in an area called the Pridelands," Kali tried to recall
"Isn't the Pridelands already ravaged and destroyed?" Ganaji said, "Last I heard there was a Coup d'état with the king's brother"
"I'm not sure either, but it's the only lead we have"
"Well, what about information about the cub?" Ganaji asked
"They just told me that he is always with Mheetu, he never told me his name..." Kali replied, "But it doesn't matter, if it's a cub, then he will be with Mheetu"
"I don't know about you, but something is suspicious about all of this," Ganaji said
"What do you mean?" Kali asked,
"There must be a reason they are withholding information regarding the cub from you" Ganaji replied, "I mean… why would they tell you to hunt someone without giving you full information about the target?"
Kali thought about it, but the tiger was right. There is something off about that cub… what is this all about?
"I'll keep that in mind.." Kali said, "For now, no distractions… we have to focus on our mission…"
Kion looked around nervously in the jungle, his instincts told him they are in this jungle. He sniffed the fresh paw prints, there was no mistake, their scent was recent, they are close…
"Where did they go?" Kion wondered "I have to find them before it gets worse, they must be worried about me"
Kion wanted to go back to the Pridelands, he needed to warn everyone about what happened, but first he had to find his friends… and Rani
"Hey, are you okay?" A familiar voice echoed, "We need to move,"
"I know, I know, I just…" That voice it was unmistakably Rani's
Kion ran as fast as he could towards the source of that voice
"RANI!"
"Kion?! Kion! You're Alive!" Rani exclaimed
They both nuzzled each other, both of them so happy, relieved that the other was safe. Kion felt as if a weight on his shoulders are lifted, his doubts, his fears, all of it washed away
"Kion!" several voices behind him screamed
He turned around to see the rest of the former Lion Guard crowded around him
"Kion, are you okay?" Bunga said as he tackled Kion, inspecting his friend's eyelids, then paws for any injuries
"Bunga…" Ono sighed
"Maybe you should give Kion some space, Little B" Beshte said
"So, you're alive, I knew the leader of the Lion Guard wouldn't fall to such chumps," Fuli grinned
"Yes, I am… But someone saved me" Kion said
"Who was it?" Rani asked
"I don't know, he never told me his name" Kion replied, "But he seems to know about this new threat than we do"
"Well I'm just glad that you're safe" Rani said
"We have to go to the Pridelands as fast as possible" Fuli joined in "We have to warn them"
"Yes, Fuli, we will" Kion replied
"So, the old Lion Guard is back?" Bunga asked
"I think so Bunga" Kion smiled
"Hey!" Matu called "You guys left me there yesterday! What was that for?!"
"Don't be such a cry baby" Baridi replied "We had fun"
"Well that wasn't fun for me!" Matu snapped
"So what? What are you going to do? Cry?" Baridi joked while the rest laughed
"I-I'll tell!" Matu stuttered
Baridi then pounced on Matu, Pinning him to the ground.
"Do it Matu, And it would be the biggest mistake of your life!" Baridi threatened
"Wh-What are you going to do?" Matu asked
"Let's say, It will hurt, alot" Baridi replied as he retracted his claws "And I think you wouldn't want that"
Matu stayed silence in defiance
"Very well, Let's go and leave this loser alone" Baridi said
"Simba, Can we talk privately?" Nala requested
"Sure, What is it, Nala?" Simba asked
"Just promise you won't freak out" Nala said
"Sure, what is it about? Is it bad?" Simba asked
"...Mheetu is on the run, He is being hunted by another pride…" Nala replied
"What?! Where is he?!" Simba interrupted
"It's not his fault, he's being hunted because that pride wants his cub dead" Nala insisted, "He has no other choice but to run for safety"
"He cannot stay here! Tell Kion that his long lost Uncle is going to the Tree Of Life" Simba spat
"Simba!" Nala snapped
"The Pridelands can't deal with another war, Nala!" Simba argued "The Tree Of Life is well guarded and Kion can take care of him and that cub"
"And the Tree Of Life can deal with another war? You're just pushing your burdens on your son?" Nala replied "We don't know how strong they are! What's worse, Kion could be harmed!"
"Do you even know who your son is? He has the roar, he can handle it!" Simba snapped "I'll give Mheetu a few days to leave the Pridelands!"
"Simba, listen to what you're saying. You were supposed to help people in need not exile them" Nala said "He is a Pridelander, he is part of us that just came back, and he is my brother! He needs our help."
"Nala-"
"Sire!" Zazu called out, before realizing Simba and Nala arguing, "Erm, I'm sorry for interrupting, sire, but-"
"What is it?" Simba asked
"Kion and the Night pride are here" Zazu announced "And Kion needs to talk to you this instance"
"What? Why would he…?" Simba asked, "Nala, let's go"
"Kion… What happened?" Simba asked
"Dad, the Tree of Life has fallen, invaded by an outside force"
"What?" Simba was shocked "Who attacked you?"
"He's the supposed heir to this unknown empire" Kion replied, "He goes by the name Kali"
"Simba, this must be the pride Mheetu was talking about" Nala interjected
"You guys already know about it?" Kion asked, "Wait, who's Mheetu?"
"Your uncle" Simba replied
"I have an uncle?!"
"Nala's lost brother, apparently seeking refuge from this outside empire" Simba replied, "Well, it doesn't matter, we can win against them, you still have your roar"
"Dad actually.." Kion said "I lost my roar"
"What?!? How?!" Simba exclaimed
"That Kali stabbed me with what he calls a 'Takatifu stick'" Kion replied "There is something about it, the stick has a venom strong enough to remove the roar."
"The Takatifu Stick?!?" Rafiki joined in "That stick is rare, It is believed that stick doesn't even exist anymore!"
"Rafiki, You know about this stick…" Kion said "Do you think that the venom can be healed?"
"I'm sorry, Kion, but it cannot be healed" Rafiki replied sorrowfully "That Stick has a venom that is strong enough to get rid of the roar of the elders permanently"
Kion sighed "...It doesn't matter, We can beat them without the roar! We have to!"
Simba was shocked, how could this new threat be this powerful? But there was nothing they could do, however strong the enemy was, they had to win.
"If that's the case, the night pride can stay here until the Tree Of Life is liberated" Simba announced "Kion, you can take your rest"
"Thanks Dad" Kion replied
"Is Mheetu still exiled?" Nala asked
"No, We need information from him" Simba replied "Tell him that I need to talk to him… privately"
"Hey Matu, How are you today? You should be outside since you know" Mheetu said
"I'm fine Dad, I just wanna to stay here…." Matu growled
"Is anything bothering you?" Mheetu asked
"I'm fine"
"With that tone of your voice I don't think so, What's bothering you?" Mheetu repeated
"I'm fine Dad, it's nothing I just want to rest" Matu replied
"Matu this is why I want you to go outside and find friends, like go outside and socialize" Mheetu said
"Why would I if I would just get bullied!?" Matu snapped
"You're getting bullied?" Mheetu asked "By who?"
"It's nothing, just… forget about it" Matu replied
"Tell me Matu," Mheetu demanded "I just want to talk with them, Who is bullying you?"
"No one, I was making up a story" Matu lied "I-I'll go outside now"
"Ma-"
"Mheetu!" Zazu called "Simba requests for your appearance, You two will have to talk privately"
"What is it about?" Mheetu asked
"I'm afraid but I don't know" Zazu replied "Just follow me"
"It's fine Dad, You can go, I-I'll go outside" Matu said
"Alright Matu, Be safe" Mheetu replied
"So your majesty" Mheetu greeted "Why have you summoned me?"
"Do you know who Kali is?" Simba asked
Mheetu stayed silent, the jig was up. There's no way Matu and him are staying in the Pridelands now.
"He invaded the Tree Of Life" Simba added "My son was the king of the Tree Of Life and he came to tell me about the new threat. According to Nala, The same pride is hunting you and your son down"
"...Yes, that is true" Mheetu confessed "I know I kept that information from you, I apologize"
"Right now, empty apologies mean nothing." Simba said "I want some information about the empire, you have faced them before, right? How strong they are? What is their goal?"
"Their goal is peace and prosperity" Mheetu explained "They desire to unite every pride into one kingdom as they believe that under a united pride under one kingdom would create Peace and that war would be relics of the past."
"And who is the ruler?" Simba asked
"Emperor Rifalme" Mheetu replied
"What about Kali?" Simba asked "What is his role?"
"He is the heir of the Umojelands, also known as the empire" Mheetu replied "He is known as the best warrior of the empire, He has subjugated alot of kingdoms with his army, including The Tree Of Life."
"So, if this Empire is so powerful, how were you able to escape their clutches for so long?"
"My former friend, Ruudhi, he was loyal to the empire, but he was also an incompetent fool. I thought I knew him him—or rather I thought I did…" Mheetu replied, "He's Kali's adoptive brother, and the Empire's armor"
Simba took a moment of silence, contemplating his choices. If this empire was strong enough to take down the Night Pride along with the Tree of Life. But there was one more question to ask Mheetu
"Your son, Nala told me you aren't his biological father"
"Yes, his mother…" Mheetu's voice cracked "I adopted him, while his mother was dying"
"Alright, You can go" Simba said "Don't be afraid to tell us if something is bothering you"
"Th-Thanks Your Majesty" Mheetu replied
"Call me Simba"
"Pridelands is once again dealing with a new threat" Rafiki sighed
A gust of wind appeared suddenly, blowing Rafiki deeper into his tree
"Mufasa? What are you trying to say?" Rafiki asked
The wind got stronger revealing an old painting, removing the leaves covering it
"Mufasa, What is your business with the firstborn Prince's painting?" Rafiki asked "It has been a long time"
A fruit fell infront of Rafiki, a fruit that was cracked, bruised, but still intact
"No, how could this be…? It doesn't make any sense" Rafiki said "Kopa is alive?!?!"
Co Written by Rheo Elpis