The Lion Guard: Hidden Secrets

Chapter 8:

Introductions and Departures.

Authors note:

Hey everyone, I'm back. It has been a crazy year and unfortunately I have had little to no time to spend on my hobbies. However, I still want to continue this story and am hoping now that winter is here I will be able to get more chapters out. Here's a short little chapter to get back into things. A little boring I know, but I hope you enjoy it.

It was a strange sensation being back in the world of life, partly anyways. He could feel the cool, smooth ground under foot. He could get the satisfaction of a full breath of air. He could see all of his family gathered around and was able to discern their unique scents, and he was able to hear the commotion they caused all trying to ask him questions at the same time. The thing was he had no control over the body he was in, his mother's body to be precise. To answer the questions asked of him, Kopa had to think his answers and mentally intend for them to be heard by Nala, who was relaying his statements to the group. He still was able to keep his private thoughts to himself however, and as strange as it was it all seemed second nature. It wasn't difficult to separate private thoughts from ones he wanted shared and it wasn't much different than if he were the one talking. If he wanted to say something he said it and his mother would hear him, if not it stayed in his mind. The only difference was that what he wanted said wasn't able to come from his own mouth, essentially because he didn't have one. And his mother, or anyone else he would be joined with, had full control over if they would actually say what Kopa wanted said. Not that he thought that would be an issue, and if that's the price he had to pay to be able to be back in the world of life he would gladly pay it. His mother of course was also able to keep any private thoughts to herself as well. They were able to converse with each other through her mind without audible words being spoken, but any thoughts that were her own stayed locked behind a mental barrier that Kopa could not penetrate, not that he wanted to. Everyone had the right to their own private thoughts and feelings and Kopa didn't want to intrude on that privacy.

"Alright everyone. Settle down." Kopa heard Umren say, though not unkindly. "You will all have plenty of time now to speak with Kopa. Let's give Nala some space." He turned to her. "How do you feel?"

Nala smiled warmly. "I feel whole again. A piece of me was torn away when Kopa died. Now he is with me again in a way more intimate than if he were here in his own body."

Although emotion was also something that was guarded privately like thoughts were Kopa could feel the love his mother had for him emanating from her heart and it made him want to cry, despite not having physical tears of his own to shed.

Umren smiled back. "I am glad this could be done for you and your son. Now come, let us reintroduce Kopa to the world." He placed his hand over a sigil on the wall and the large stone that covered the entrance silently rolled away.

The group made their way out of the chamber and Rani and Kion led them out of the main cave and into the sun light. As they all adjusted to the brightness Rani exclaimed; "Oh my!" as they realized they had come out to find the entire kingdoms worth of animals standing before them. The large gathering of animals began to chatter when Umren emerged from the cave. Jumbled talk of; "That's him! He's so tall! That's a human? Where did he come from? Where's all his fur?" murmured up from the crowd.

Rani hopped down to talk with a penguin nearby. "Pinguino, what's going on? Why has everyone come to the tree?"

"Why to see him of course!" Pinguino exclaimed, pointing a flipper at Umren. "A little birdie told me about the tall creature with the magical healing stick and I just had to see it for myself."

Rani arched an eyebrow. "And you told the whole kingdom?"

He waved his flipper at her. "Don't be silly. I told Rodney."

Rodney, another penguin nodded. "And I told Lilly and Zeak."

A couple of large bullfrogs nodded. "And we told Astiff, Jester, and Nivir."

A group of bat-eared foxes nodded. "And we told…"

Rani held up a paw to silence them. "Okay, okay, I get it."

Kion hopped down beside her "Word really spreads fast around here."

Rani opened her mouth to reply but was interrupted by a commotion in the crowd.

Kion looked to see what the fuss was about and heard a familiar voice saying; "Excuse me, pardon us, oops, sorry."

Followed by; "Make way! Lion Guard coming through."

A moment later Beshte, Bunga, and Fuli appeared with Ono and Anga flying in beside them.

Bunga looked back at the way they just came, annoyed. "Sheesh, talk about a tough crowd, to get through that is!"

"What's all the hubbub about Kion?" Beshte asked.

"They're here to meet Umren I guess."

As Kion, Rani, and the Guard went back up to stand near Umren a small bird flew in and rested atop Umrens staff.

"Leela!" Umren exclaimed in delight. "It's so good to see you flying about. But what about your eggs?"

Leela chirped excitedly. "They hatched this morning! If it hadn't been for you I wouldn't have been able to be there when my babies broke through their shells. I will be forever grateful!"

Umren smiled warmly. "I was happy to have helped. And I assume you are responsible for all this?" He said good naturedly as he gestured to the crowd.

Leela laughed. "I told you I'd tell all my friends." She fluttered up to eye level. "Well I'm off to get breakfast for the kids, have fun."

Umren waved a goodbye as she flew away.

"Well I guess introductions are in order." Rani said and Umren nodded.

She stepped up onto the stone in front of the Tree. "Animals of the Tree of Life, I am pleased to introduce to you our newest member of our kingdom." Rani announced with a confident and strong voice. "Who is also the oldest member of our kingdom."

There was a confused chatter from among the animals but fell silent as Kion came up beside her. "His name is Umren and he is known as a Mlezi." Kion spoke boldly with his new authority as their king. "They existed hundreds of years ago and were the healers and protectors for the Tree of Life. However, the Mlezi were betrayed by their own kind and that led to the banishment of the humans from the Tree of Life. It also created mistrust towards the Mlezi to the point that Umren was unable to seek out a mate to continue the Mlezi line. As a result he hid himself away and fell into a deep sleep in a secret cavern under the Tree until a time came where the kingdom could trust him once again. Rani and I, along with my friends and family have judged Umren to be worthy of our trust. In a short time we have witnessed him show unwarranted kindness and wisdom, offer protection, and perform profound healings as some of you undoubtedly have heard about. So we ask you. Will you join us in welcoming him back into the kingdom of the Tree of Life?"

The crowd erupted in cheers and applause, but was cut short by a loud roar. A Siberian Tiger strode forward out from the cluster of animals followed by a Black Jaguar that was missing its left eye, a Gray Back Gorilla who was limping on account of only having one foot, a White Rhino whose horn was absent, and an elephant missing one of its tusks.

"Varya?" Rani asked in surprise. "Do you have an objection?"

"I do! We do!" She said glancing around at the scarred and maimed animals that joined her. "I came to the Tree of Life because I sought a safe place to raise my cubs. Humans are the reason I had to search out such a place and why my mate is not here to help me raise our family!"

There was a collective gasp from the rest of the crowd.

"Humans are also the reason for our scars" The large Gorilla had limped forward and indicated the other three animals with him. "They not only damaged our bodies but our hearts as well."

"Each of us are the last of our families." The Elephant added. "We are the survivors of separate acts of human poaching."

There were more gasps and whispers among the animals, but Varya spoke again. "You can see the evidence of human cruelty and lack of respect for the circle of life left as permanent reminders upon the flesh of your subjects. How can you ask us to trust one of these monsters?" she demanded looking directly at Rani and Kion.

"I… well…" Rani stammered. She had been present when each of these animals had come to the tree of life to seek refuge. She knew at least a little of each of their stories, but she didn't think they would stand so strongly against Umren.

"Varya" Kion spoke coolly. "and those of you who stand with her. You have undoubtedly suffered from the hands of human kind. Your concerns are understandable, but we are asking you to give Umren a chance to prove that he is not like the others who have hurt you. He is not a monster. I learned long ago that you can't judge someone based of the bad experiences you may have had with others of their kind." Kion was remembering the time he had first met Jasiri and the important lesson she had taught him; Sisi Ni Sawa.

Varya growled. "Humans are all evil. That's why they were all banished from the Tree of Life. Not just a few, ALL!"

"Except the Mlezi." It was Makini, who had come to stand with Rani and Kion. "The Mlezi were chosen by the Tree of Life to be its protectors. Humans are the only ones that can hold the heart of the Tree of Life and wield its power. Show them Umren." She said looking over at him.

Umren stepped up and without saying a word tilted the Moyo Staff towards the crowd and the knotted ball at the top unwound itself to reveal the shining green orb at its center. Many were stunned to silence, others audibly shared their admiration through various Ooo's and Ahh's. Even Varya and the others with her looked impressed.

Umren brought the staff back up and the heart was cocooned once again. "You do not know who I am or even the nature of my title. That is partly my fault, though it was because of the mistrust for my kind that I had to hide myself away and wait for a time that I could receive a fresh start. I did this so the Mlezi would not die out. Now I hope to prove to you all that I am someone you can trust. I know that trust isn't something easily given and it must be earned. Please, will you give me the chance to earn your trust?"

There was a long silence and Umren began to fear that the Tree had got it wrong. That although the King and Queen trusted him their subjects might not.

"Why is no one saying anything? They were just cheering for him a minute ago. Are they really not going to give Umren a chance?" Kopa asked his mother.

"They are concerned Kopa." Nala explained in the silence of her mind. "Many of these animal have forgotten the cruelty the humans once brought to this land, but humans still plague many who come from outside this kingdoms boarders as you can see. Our kingdom doesn't welcome humans either for good reason."

"Well yeah, but Umren didn't hurt them, some other human did. I don't hate all lions just because one of them hurt me." He was referring to Zira, and Nala really did not want to relive that memory now that she had her son back. Luckily their private conversation was interrupted.

"I will!" Came an eager voice. The crowd parted to reveal Nirmala. She walked up to stand beside Umren. "I will give him my trust. I have been your healer for many seasons now, but this man can do so much more for this kingdom than I ever could. I have agreed to partner with him so that we can learn from each other. If you do not trust him now trust me. Trust your King and Queen, and in time I believe you will come to trust him also."

At this point Simba and Nala stepped up. Simba spoke. "I am not your king but I am king of the Pridelands, and I will say that if Umren were ever to venture to my kingdom he would be welcomed with open arms. Humans are not welcome in my kingdom as well and I too was warry of this man at first, but it didn't take long for him to earn my trust. If you all will give him a chance I'm sure you will come to trust him as I have."

"He won't disappoint you." Nala said with certainty. "Umren has healed a part of me that I thought would never be healed. He has shown immeasurable kindness to us and we are foreigners in this land. You are his people, his charge to watch over. He will not fail you."

The king and queen of the Pridelands and Umren shared a look and then Umren focused his attention back at the gathered animals. "I ask again. Will you give me a chance?"

There was another moment of silence until a few stray "I will" came up from the crowd. Slowly that phrase grew audibly as more and more animals pledged to give Umren a chance. Eventually, it appeared all the animals had uttered an "I will."

Umren's eyes began to water. "Thank you. He said. "Thank you all."

A cheer broke out and Rani stepped up to speak. "This is cause for celebration, but at this time I must ask you all to return to your homes. The King and Queen of the Pridelands are due to depart and we wish to escort them to the pass. After, Kion and I will bring Umren to each of you to meet personally as we give him a tour of the kingdom."

With that all the animals began to leave. All except Varya and her group. She glared at Umren. "The royal family of the Pridelands won't be the only ones departing the Tree of Life this day." She said with a loathsome tone. "You ask me to trust you? To give you a chance? I will… not!" The others with her shook their heads in unison standing in agreement. "I will not trust you, and I will not give you the chance to hurt me or my family. All the others, you might gain their trust, but you will end up hurting them in the end." Varya then looked to Kion and Rani. "I'm sorry, this is nothing against you, but as long as he lives here I will not." She then turned to leave and her companions followed.

"Wait, Varya. You don't have to do this." Rani called after her, but she never even paused to listen.

Umren came and put a hand on Rani's shoulder. "I am sorry." He said. "I should have foreseen this outcome. There were bound to be animals here that had been hurt by my kind and I should have spoken with you on how best to address them."

"No Umren. "Rani said. "It's not your fault. We didn't plan to have the entire kingdom show up at our door step. I had hoped to introduce you individually this afternoon on our walk through the kingdom. I just don't think what Varya and the others are doing is safe. Where will they go? Varya I'm sure can take care of herself but she has three little cubs to watch after and the others have disabilities that will make it harder for them to cope with life outside this kingdom."

"Perhaps they will come back after they realize how foolish they are being." Fuli said a bit agitated.

"They are just scared." Ono pointed out. "How would you feel if the thing you were scared of showed up in the place you though was safe?"

"Ono's right." Kion agreed. "But we can't force them to stay. If they feel it's better for them to leave than they can. And if they someday want to return and give Umren a chance then we will welcome them back."

Rani gave a small nod. "You're right, I just don't like it."

"Things will never be exactly what everyone wants them to be. Your job is to make sure the majority are safe and content." Simba advised. "There will always be some that are displeased with how things are done and may at times stir up trouble. It's just the nature of ruling a kingdom."

"Yes, and now it is time to return to our own kingdom to see what trouble has stirred up there." Nala joked, but Kion looked worried.

"You don't actually think there's trouble do you?"

"Not with Vitani leading the new lion guard, right Kovu?" Kiarra nudged her mate.

"Huh, oh, right." He seemed to have been lost in thought. "I'm sure she can handle any challenge that she's faced with."

"Well alright then, let's get you all on your way." Rani said. "I'm sure Kopa is eager to get home." She said so only the royal family could hear.

Nala smiled. "He says he is, but he will miss you and Kion."

"We will miss him too." Kion said.

Together Rani and Kion, along with Makini and Umren escorted Simba, Nala, Kiarra, Kovu, and Rafiki out to the mountain pass. Once they reached the pass Umren stopped.

"This is as far as I can go while I am carrying the moyo staff. I wish you all a safe and easy journey. And to you Kopa" Umren said looking at Nala. "I hope you enjoy your time back home."

Nala then stood on her hind legs and embraced Umren. "He says thank you, and so do I." She whispered.

He hugged her back and then they separated.

"We will return before the dry season is upon us." Simba assured him.

"Good bye Rafiki." Makini said, giving him a hug.

"Good bye young one. I will miss you as well."

Kion and Rani took turns nuzzling their family as they said their goodbyes.

They all watched as the royal family of the Pridelands took their leave and departed through the mountain pass.

Rani then turned to Umren. "Well, are you ready for that tour?"

He nodded and smiled. "I am."