Meanwhile, back with Kion as he was on his own to talk with Mufasa. He was seen walking up a grassy plain and he looked up at the clouds in the sky. "Grandfather Mufasa?" he then spoke up.
"I'm here, Kion," Mufasa smiled as his image soon appeared in the clouds. "It has been a long time. I was worried that you had forgotten about me."
"No, Grandfather. I didn't forget about you," Kion said softly. "It's just... I was afraid to face you. I've got this scar now. And I was worried that I might turn evil, like Scar," he then explained. "Especially since I kept losing my temper and losing control of the Roar on our way to the Tree of Life."
"Kion, you could have talked to me anytime," Mufasa reassured. "I told you I would always be here for you. No matter what. That hasn't changed. And it never will."
"Thank you, Grandfather; that makes me feel better," Kion smiled. "I'm sorry I stayed away, I promise I won't be afraid to talk to you again."
"Good, I missed you." Mufasa smiled back.
"I missed you too and I met my older brother Kopa." Kion smiled back.
"Oh, that's good..." Mufasa replied. "I hope you aren't mad about him because of what happened."
"Well, I felt a little mad at first, but after thinking about it, it made a lot of sense of why he did what he did," Kion replied. "I'm also sure it would mean a lot to Mom, Dad, and Kiara to know that he's alive and well."
"Yes, it would." Mufasa smiled.
Meanwhile with Rani, Kopa, Varya, and her cubs...
Bunga trudged through the snow, grunting a bit as the tiger cubs clung to him while they walked through the forest to find a new home for the tiger family. "You cubs sure are heavy." The young honey badger said through some grunts.
"Here," Rani smiled once she came to a stop. "This forest should be a perfect home for you and your cubs."
"Thank you," Varya smiled back. "This does look perfect."
A herd of musk deer soon walked out to see the tiger family.
"Who are you?" The leader musk deer asked.
"Hello. I'm Varya," The mother tiger smiled. "We're your new neighbors."
"I don't think so." The musk deer shook his head, disapprovingly.
"Hold on, maybe we can talk this over?" Kopa suggested.
"Hmm... I suppose that would be fair..." The musk deer replied.
"Come on then, Rani." Kopa then said to the dark lioness.
Rani soon walked over to the musk deer with Kopa.
"Are you sure a tiger family living here is a good idea?" The musk deer asked both lions.
"Don't worry, they know the rules." Kopa assured.
"They've promised to respect The Circle of Life." Rani added.
"Are you sure you know the rules?" The musk deer asked them.
"Well, I'm still learning, but I'm willing to give them a chance." Rani replied.
"And so am I." Kopa nodded in agreement.
"Varya came here seeking safety for her cubs," Rani then defended. "I don't think she'd risk being kicked out by disrespecting the Circle of Life."
The musk deer stopped to think about it for a few moments before sighing in defeat. "Okay. If you say the tigers are welcome here, then so do we," he then said to the young lions before announcing a decree to his fellow musk deer in the herd. "Everyone, the tigers are welcome, by decree of Queen Rani," he then told them before facing the mother tiger. "Over here, Varya. There's a nice clearing your cubs might like."
"Oh, wonderful. Thank you," Varya smiled at the musk deer before facing Rani in gratitude. "And thank you. My cubs and I are so grateful to be home."
"You're welcome." Rani smiled at Varya.
"Come along, cubs." Varya called out to her cubs as she followed the musk deer.
"Hear that? Time to say goodbye." Bunga smiled at the tiger cubs.
The tiger cubs soon took off running after their mother, making him fall into the snow. "Bye, Bunga!"
Bunga waved goodbye before sighing in relief. "Cubs are a lotta work."
"Thanks for helping with them today, Bunga." Rani smiled.
"I'm sure it was a lot of fun for them too." Kopa added.
"Hakuna Matata!" Bunga smiled back at Rani. "Happy to help, your Majesty."
"I'll never get used to hearing that." Rani sighed to herself.
"Well, you better after the coronation that's what everybody will be calling ya." Bunga told Rani.
"Yep, he's right." Kopa nodded.
Kopa and Rani soon remembered when Rani's coronation was.
"My coronation!" Rani grew wide-eyed. "It's at sunset." she then took off running.
"Wait for me, Your Majesty!" Bunga called out to Rani, chasing after her.
"I think I know a shortcut!" Kopa told Rani. "Follow me!"
"Right behind ya then!" Rani replied.
The three of them began to go through the shortcut Kopa knew to the Tree of Life and where they made it with plenty of time to spare.
"Whew." Kopa sighed.
The sun was soon setting as Makini made a speech to the other animals who lived among the Night Pride. "Welcome to the Coronation of the Queen of the Tree of Life!" she then announced.
All of the animals then cheered and there was soon a song.
"Long live the queen~" Nirmala began to sing.
"We lift our voices up in praise~" Fuli added.
"With wisdom, patience, strength, and guile~" Anga smiled.
"Watch over us, all our days~" Nirmala sang again.
"Our hearts and voices sing, All praise and glory bring, Goodwill and joy in everything~," The Tree of Life inhabitants soon sang as the birds flew all around and left a trail of flower petals as the other animals parted ways down the middle as Kopa stood next to Rani for support. "Long live, long live, Long live the queen!, Long live, long live, Long live the queen!~"
Rani smiled as she began to make her way down the path as the animals all looked hopeful. Kopa smiled as he went to go over beside the Night Pride as Rani walked down the flowery path. Rani smiled as the animals bowed to her as she walked beside them.
"Long live the queen, To rule the Tree of Life~," Fuli sang as Rani made her way over. "Protect our land and keep it free, From sorrow and from strife~"
"Our heart and voices~" The animals sang as Rani made her way over.
"Hearts and voices sing~" Nirmala sang.
"Praise and glory~" The animals sang.
"Praise and glory bring~" Anga sang.
"Goodwill and joy in everything~" Nirmala sang as a certain polar bear allowed Rani to ride on his back before he lifted her high up in the air.
"In everything~" Fuli sang.
"Long live, long live, Long live the queen!~" The animals sang.
"Long live the queen~" Nirmala sang.
"Long live, long live, Long live the queen!~"
"Long live the queen~" Anga and Kopa sang proudly.
"Long live, long live, Long live the queen!~"
"Long live the queen~" Fuli sang.
"Long live, long live, Long live the queen!~" The other animals continued before birds flew around with more flower petals falling all over and around Rani like confetti.
Everyone cheered for Rani as their queen.
"It is time." Makini smiled.
"Way to go, Rani." Kopa sounded like a proud big brother, which is what he was to Rani ever since he ended up at The Tree of Life to begin with.
The polar bear soon lowered Rani and she made her way over to the rock to see the young baboon who had some paint for her to wear as part of the coronation ceremony.
"Queen Janna would be proud," Makini smiled as she marked the young lioness's forehead before Rani smiled back and turned to see the other animals gathered around for her. "Animals of the Tree of Life, it is my honor to present to you, Queen Rani!"
The animals all then cheered in excitement for the new queen.
"That's our sister!" Baliyo smiled at Kopa.
"Maybe not by blood, but yes, I consider Rani as my sister too." Kopa smiled back.
"Zuka Zama!" Bunga and Binga cheered before high-fiving each other.
"Long live the queen!" Makini smiled.
"Long live the queen!" Kopa added happily.
"Long live the Queen! Long live the Queen! Long live the Queen!" The other animals chanted.
"Long live the queen." Kion smiled softly.
"Long live the Queen! Long live the Queen! Long live the Queen!" The other animals continued.
Rani smiled all around as she began to look confident enough to take the job, though she decided to do a little something special later that evening.
As Rani walked past where her grandmother was buried, she soon looked up to the sky. "Grandmother Janna? You were right, I am ready." she then smiled.
The clouds soon floated around in the skies before the light of the silvery moon was soon shining down on the young lioness.
"Thatta girl." Kopa said, sounding so proud of Rani.
"Oh, Orum," Rani suddenly said as she turned around to see him. "I didn't see you there."
"Sorry, I just wanted to make sure you were going to be okay about becoming the new Queen." Kopa smiled sheepishly.
"Like a good big brother, even if we're not related by blood." Rani smiled back.
"True." Kopa nodded.
The two then shared a nuzzle with each other.
"And just remember, you can talk to her from your heart." Kopa then said.
"Thanks," Rani smiled. "You may not be my actual big brother, but I'm glad to have someone like you around."
"I feel the same way." Kopa smiled back.
"Well, we better get back to Surak, Nirmala, and Baliyo." Rani smiled back.
"Right, we have Night Pride patrol to do." Kopa nodded.
The two soon walked off. After they left though, the image of Janna was shown as she had reunited with Sãhasí and Ãnanda.
Kopa and Rani soon joined back with Surak, Nirmala, and Baliyo and they began to start their patrol at night. And where the night patrol went rather smoothly and quietly as there weren't any intruders entering in.
"Seems like a peaceful night." Kopa smiled.
"For once," Rani agreed. "I'm pretty happy to see that."
"Me too," Surak smiled. "We could use some more nights like this."
"Though I'm sure we'll face something after the sun comes back," Nirmala sighed. "Those predators are really getting on my nerves."
"And not to mention Dakarai, Akata, and Abrafo included." Baliyo said.
"Knowing those three they'll most likely get included." Kopa said.
"You think they'll be back then?" Rani asked.
"It wouldn't surprise me if they did come back," Kopa replied. "I can tell that they're cooking something up pretty big and ugly."
"Just like that Dakarai guy." Baliyo smirked at that last part.
"Yeah, he can be quite the eye sore." Kopa said.
After some time, it was morning, and where they were soon alerted by Ullu about the predators and three evil lions about to invade. The Night Pride soon took off.
"Well, that didn't take long," Kopa rolled his eyes. "Thanks, Ullu."
"It was my pleasure." Ullu nodded.
And so, it was time for Makucha and the predators to face The Night Pride yet again.
"That's far enough." Rani glared at the predators.
"Oh, I don't think so," Makucha grinned fiendishly. "We wanna get to the Tree of Life and I don't think you can stop us."
"Look at them, they're exhausted." Mama Binturong added mockingly.
"So tired." Baliyo said after a yawn looking exhausted.
"Don't let them see it." Surak told him.
"Too late, we saw." Makucha smirked as he, Ora, and Chuluun charged in with the evil lions.
"Nirmala, Chulunn, in the trees." Rani began.
"The sleepy lion is mine." Makucha grinned.
Kopa was about to retort at the evil leopard until a new voice was heard.
"How about a lion that's not so sleepy?" Kion smirked as he appeared as the Lion Guard began to split up.
"And his not-so sleepy friends. " Bunga added.
"Pretty good quip, also glad that they made it here in time." Kopa said to himself.
"Thought you could use some help, Rani-" Kion said as he came by the Night Pride. "Uh, Your Majesty."
"Thanks, it's been a long night." Rani replied.
"Kion, use The Roar, blast those baddies." Bunga suggested to the leader of The Lion Guard.
"No, I can't." Kion said as he rubbed his scar over his left eye.
"Aw, Kion." Kopa frowned as he overheard that.
Ora soon snarled as he rushed in on the group.
"Surak, Baliyo, take Ora." Rani told her family.
"Beshte, don't let Ora pass!" Kion then said, around the same time.
Surak and Baliyo rushed out, only to run into Behste and they all fell into each other and rolled out in the middle of the ground in pain. Ora then kept on coming since that didn't stop him.
"Kion, I spotted Chuluun," Anga alerted. "She's in the trees."
"Fuli, go get Chuluun." Kion soon told his cheetah friend.
"In the trees? Uh, I'll try. Huwezi!" Fuli said before running off.
"No, wait!" Kopa called out. "Nirmala's got Chuluun!"
Chuluun soon jumped out of the tree and Nirmala went after her, only for Fuli to charge against her and the two fell in the middle of the ground.
"This is not going well at all." Kopa face-pawed.
"Kion, I'm in charge here." Rani reminded Kion.
"Ah, right. Of course," Kion said bashfully. "How can we help?"
"You and the Lion Guard handle Ora," Rani suggested. "The Night Pride will take the leopards."
"Forget about us, Your Majesty?" Dakarai smirked.
"The way in is too easy." Akata smirked back.
"Yep." Abrafo nodded.
"Not you guys too!" Kopa complained.
"Oh, yes, I'm afraid us too!" Dakarai smirked. We won't quit until you're finished off with your precious Night Pride family."
"Just fantastic." Kopa groaned.
"So, what are you going to do?" Dakarai smirked.
"I should give you a new scar and exile and banish you." Kopa glared.
"You have no authority to banish and exile me," Dakarai smirked. "That's a good try though for a little cub like you."
Kopa growled, ready to fight Dakarai.
"Just one lion against the three of us has no chance." Akata smirked.
"You may be clever and strong for your age and size, but you can't resist us forever!" Abrafo added.
"Bring it." Kopa challenged.
"Are you sure you can take them on by yourself? Maybe Surak should join you." Rani told Kopa.
"I can do it," Kopa said. "This is my fight."
"I'm getting worried about you," Rani said to him. "I know you're strong enough on your own, but you could probably use some good company."
"Besides, three-on-one isn't a good match-up." Kion added.
"It is to us." Akata smirked.
"Oh, yes, very much." Abrafo added.
Kopa soon charged in to take down the three older lions anyway, not letting anything stop him.
"Kopa, wait!" Kion and Rani called out.
"Oh, this is too easy." Dakarai smirked.
Kopa began to fight off Dakarai, Akata, and Abrafo by himself and as he fought them they didn't expect him to be so strong or so fast.
"He seems to be going a bit far... Too far..." Kion said in concern.
"Yes, I think his anger's pushed him too far, especially with how insists on doing this on his own." Rani added.
Kion and Rani both soon went back to who they were going to handle as Kopa had the three evil lions handled. Surak soon jumped down and struck Chuluun down right away. Baliyo seemed to miss Makucha a couple of times before finally hitting the leopard instantly.
Ora went to go off only to be surrounded by the Lion Guard and ran off away from them. "Augh! Too many!" he then cried out.
"Anga, Ono, the Binturong." Rani then suggested to the birds as Mama Binturong was alone.
"Affirmative," Ono nodded before he and Anga flew towards Mama Binturong. "Incoming!"
Mama Bingturong soon dodged Ono as she hung upside down with her tail on the branch. "Ha! Missed me!" she then smirked.
"That's what you think!" Anga smirked as she soon flew towards the elderly animal.
Mama Binturong yelped out and suddenly fell on the ground as the other predators and she soon ran after them, though a bit slower than they were. "Wait for me!" she then shouted on the way out.
"And stay out!" Baliyo glared before yawning as he went with the rest of the Night Pride as they all looked like they could fall asleep at any moment.
"Sorry, Rani," Kion frowned at the young lioness. "We came to help, but I kind of made things worse."
"Your team did help, Kion, but from now on, follow my lead." Rani advised.
"What? But Kion's great and taking the lead." Bunga said.
"Rani and I know Kion has the potential to be a great leader, but-" Kopa started.
"Potential?" Fuli interrupted before a splash not too far away was heard. "Kion's already a great leader."
"Am I?" Kion replied, a little doubtful. "I became leader of the Lion Guard when I got the Roar, but now, I can't control the Roar," he then said. "I've been messing things up like I did just now. Maybe I shouldn't be leading."
"Kion, seriously?" Fuli frowned.
"Kion can't control the Roar and he doesn't wanna lead?" Mama Binturong smirked at herself as she overheard that from afar.
"At least until my scar is healed." Kion then continued to the others.
Baliyo was soon heard yawning as he looked tired.
"Looks like your team could use some rest." Kion said to Rani.
"Mama Binturong and the others never give up, they'll be back." Rani said with a sigh.
"The Lion Guard could patrol during the day while you rest." Kion offered.
"Then the Night Pride could go back to patrolling only at night," Rani said thoughtfully. "Oh, we could use the help. Especially now that I'm Queen and leader of the Night Pride."
"I might be pretty strong and mighty myself, but we could use some extra help," Kopa then said before that hit him. "...I let my anger take over and determination of beating Dakarai and his friends a long time ago and sent them down the river. I almost ended up like Tiran."
"And the Night Pride's leader needs help," Mama Bintorung chuckled to herself as she walked off to find the other predators. "Mama's got a plan."
"Okay, then the Lion Guard will start patrolling right away." Kion suggested.
"Not you, Kion; you're coming with me and Kopa." Nirmala smiled.
"Then the rest of The Lion Guard will start right away." Kion smiled at the rest of his Lion Guard.
"Okay, Lion Guard, head out," Fuli decided, taking charge. "Anga, take the lead. I'll catch up."
"Got it." Anga nodded as she flew off as the cheetah went after the new Queen of the Night Pride.
"Rani, can we talk?" Fuli asked the young queen.
"Of course, Fuli," Rani allowed. "What's wrong?"
"Kion doesn't seem to be getting better."
"...Well, Nirmala did say his healing would take time."
"But he's even worse than when he got here," Fuli frowned. "He's totally lost his confidence. Are you sure Nirmala knows what she's doing?"
"My grandmother trusted Nirmala to become the healer at the Tree of Life," Rani reminded firmly. "You should trust her too."
Fuli sighed in defeat. "Okay, if you say so."
The two girls then split up to go their own way.
"Is everything okay?" Surak asked as he saw Rani coming over.
"Fuli doesn't think Kion's getting better," Rani replied. "And I think she might be right."
Rani, Surak, and Baliyo soon started to make their way into the lands surrounding The Tree of Life.