A while later, Kion soon went to talk with Mufasa to see if his grandfather could help.
"It is a difficult decision." Mufasa had to admit once he heard what his younger grandson had to tell him.
" It is. I have a duty to the Pridelands," Kion nodded as he paced around. "My whole family is there, except for maybe Kopa, but I still have more to learn about the Roar. And the Night Pride could use our help. And Rani-I mean, Queen Rani, she wants me to stay." he then explained.
"And what do you want to do?" Mufasa asked.
"...What do I want?" Kion replied out of confusion.
"Yes, Kion," Mufasa nodded. "Like I told your older brother; the decision is yours to make. You must choose the path that is right for you." he then advised.
"The path that's right for me... Thank you, Grandfather." Kion smiled.
Mufasa nodded before returning to The Great Kings.
"Kion?" A familiar voice called.
"Rani," Kion said once he saw Kopa and Rani. "Uh, hi. Hey there too, Kopa."
"Have you thought about what I said?" Rani asked him.
"You mean about never being welcome at the Tree of Life?" Kion asked back with a small smile.
"That was a while ago," Rani laughed a little. "Funny how things can change once you get to know someone."
"Yeah, it's true." Kion smiled.
"Yep." Kopa nodded.
"We really do make a good team, Kion." Rani said to the younger lion.
"I know," Kion smiled. "The Lion Guard and the Night Pride work really well together.
"Well, yeah," Rani chuckled before she spoke silently as she looked at him differently than she used to. "But I also mean you and me."
"Yeah, we do." Kion nodded.
"I'll give you cubs some alone time." Kopa smirked as he saw something between the two as he soon left Kion and Rani alone so they could have some time alone time together. And where Kopa just knew that there would be a love song coming up between Kion and Rani.
"How are we so different and still so much the same?~" Rani soon sang to Kion as she ruffled up his mane.
"Why do I start smilin', when I hear your name?~" Kion sang back with a bashful smile.
The two were soon shown to be looking at a pond.
"At times I think you could be, A reflection of me~" Rani then sang to Kion.
"Still there's something deeper~" Kion sang back.
"More than what we see, There's a feeling of belonging that's deep down inside, A feeling that's been growing and it just can't hide~" Kion and Rani sang together as they first ran across a field of flowers and soon the snowy terrain of one of the surroundings surrounding the Tree of Life before ending up at a waterfall. "It's a feeling somehow knowing there's nothing to decide, 'Cuz when I'm with you, it's clear we're of the same pride~"
Rani soon playfully, slightly pushed Kion's head into the waterfall, getting him wet before he soon playfully grabbed her and they both soon jumped into the water. The two smiled at each other fondly before they left the water.
"Seems like I have grown up, So much since I met you~" Kion sang as they came into the Tree of Life.
"Like it's been forever, But, every day is new~" Rani sang back.
The two soon left the tree together.
"We had some great adventures~" Kion smiled.
"We also had some fun~" Rani smiled back.
"Shame to think it's ending~" Kion sang sadly.
"Or has it just begun?~" Rani sang back with a smile.
"There's a feeling of belonging that's deep down inside, A feeling that's been growing now we just can't hide, It's a feeling somehow knowing there's nothing to decide, 'Cuz when I'm with you it's clear we're of the same pride~" Kion and Rani sang together as they came across the river and soon hopped on the logs together before Kion hopped onto the one that Rani was on.
"You have the energy and drive to take command~" Rani sang as they began to reminisce.
"You have the patience I always wish I had~" Kion added.
"Working together I finally understand, Having you here by my side, will help me rule this land~" Rani sang as she and Kion sat at on a rock looking over the land surrounding the Tree of Life.
"There's a feeling of belonging that's deep down inside, A feeling that's been growing now we just can't hide~" Kion and Rani sang as they ran through a field together before Kion suddenly fell and Rani playfully stood on top of him as they were slowly falling in love with each other. "It's a feeling somehow knowing there's nothing to decide~"
"'Cuz when I'm with you it's clear~" Kion sang to Rani as he faced her in the forest.
"'Cuz when I'm with you it's clear~" Rani sang back.
"We're of the same pride~" Kion and Rani sang together.
Kopa smiled as he watched that from afar and walked away as Kion and Rani embraced each other.
"Being queen has been more work than I expected," Rani said to Kion as they walked off together. "I really could use your help keeping the Tree of Life at peace."
"If I've learned anything about you, Rani, it's that you don't need my help," Kion smiled. "You don't need anyone's help. You're a great leader, Rani."
"Thank you, Kion. I want to be a great queen someday, too," Rani smiled back before shyly looking at him before looking away. "And a great queen could use a great king, like you."
"King?" Kion asked.
"Kion!" Bunga's voice called out as he and the rest of the Lion Guard were soon seen coming over.
"Hey, Kion." Bunga smiled.
"Uh, hey, Bunga, what's going on?" Kion asked the male honey badger.
"That's what we're all wondering." Bunga said, referring to himself and the rest of the Lion Guard.
"You are all healed now." Ono reminded.
"And the bad guys are gone." Behste added.
"Time to go home?" Fuli asked hopefully.
"I've told Kion you're all welcome to stay at the Tree of Life, that I'd like you to stay." Rani said to the Lion Guard softly.
"Stay?" Fuli asked in surprise. "Kion, are you seriously thinking about staying here and not going back to the Pride Lands?"
"Well, there's peace in the Pridelands, the Night Pride could use our help, and Rani has become a good friend." Kion listed.
"So has Binga." Bunga added.
"I've made lots of friends here too." Behste smiled.
"It is tempting to stay," Ono added. "The Tree of Life has so much to see. Plus you have a brother here."
"Yep." Anga nodded.
"I don't know." Fuli sighed as she was unsure about staying.
Ullu was soon heard hooting as the group soon looked up to see her flying in. "Queen Rani, Lion Guard, I've spotted a cheetah making his way up the pass." she then told them.
"A cheetah?" Fuli asked.
"Mibinamet!" A male voice called out.
"Azaad!" Fuli and Rani gasped at the adult male cheetah before facing each other. "Wha-?"
"Fuli, Queen Rani." Azaad greeted before bowing at the young female cheetah and young lioness.
"Azaad." Rani greeted back as she bowed back to him.
"You two know each other?" Fuli asked out of confusion.
"Azaad's been to the Tree of Life before." Rani explained.
"Yes. Queen Janna herself healed Azaad after an unexpected fall," Azaad replied before looking a little somber. "She will be missed."
"Thank you, Azaad. So what brings you here now? Another unexpected fall?" Rani asked teasingly.
Azaad soon began to laugh. "No, no, two travelers asked for directions and Azaad has shown them here. Swift as a cheetah, it seems they couldn't keep up." he then said with a smirk.
"Azaad!" A female voice called out.
"Wait for us!" A male voice added who was coughing.
Two hyenas were soon shown to be following after the adult male cheetah.
"Jasiri?" Kion asked.
"Janja? I'll stop him," Bunga glared before he lunged out and pounced on top of Janja. "Zuka Zama!"
"Oh, Bunga, get off of me!" Janja glared at the honey badger. "I'm on your side now."
"Oh, yeah, I forgot." Bunga smiled sheepishly.
"It's weird to see someone being friendly to hyenas." Kopa commented.
"You'll get used to it." Fuli assured him.
"Jasiri? Janja? What are you doing here?" Kion asked.
"It's Zira," Jasiri warned. "She and her pride of evil lions are back with a dark lion with her."
Kopa's eyes widened at the name of Zira.
"What?" Kion asked.
"Zira?" Fuli added.
"Oh, no." Behste frowned.
"Zira?" Anga asked as she didn't know that name.
"She's the leader of some very bad lions." Ono told her.
"My dad banished them for betraying the Pridelands." Kion added.
"And the dark lion must be Dakarai; that's why he wasn't here when the villains attacked." Rani said.
"But you roared those lions outta the Outlands." Bunga told Kion.
"Yes, but they're back now and Zira's son Kovu and daughter Vitani are fully grown." Jasiri told Bunga.
Kopa stepped back a bit once Vitani's name was mentioned.
"Hate to admit it, but us hyenas don't stand a chance against those lions." Janja remarked with a sigh.
"The hyenas told me all of this," Azaad informed. "It is why I brought them here as fast as I could, and faster than they could."
"Kion?" Fuli asked in concern about what to do next.
"It's up to the Lion Guard to stop Zira and her pride," Kion replied before he faced Rani. "As long as we have the Mark of the Guard we have a duty to defend the Pridelands."
"I know, you can't stay here if the Pridelands are in danger." Rani said.
"Yes, and we have to go now." Kion said before looking to Kopa.
"I'm coming too, but it doesn't mean I'm going to stay in the Pridelands." Kopa said.
"Fair enough, Kopa," Kion nodded. "And thank you."
"You're welcome." Kion replied.
"Kion, I think I have to stay," Makini spoke up. "I'm Queen Rani's Royal Mjuzi now. This is my place in the Circle of Life."
"I understand," Kion smiled. "I'm sure you'll be a great Royal Mjuzi, Makini."
"Thanks, Kion." Makini smiled back.
"Bye, Makini." Beshte smiled as Makini gave him a hug.
"We'll miss you." Fuli smiled back at Makini.
"Affirmative." Ono added as he smiled.
"Yep." Anga concluded with her own smile.
"Say 'hi' to all the Pridelanders for me?" Makini asked the Lion Guard.
"We will." Bunga nodded with a smile.
"So, Lion Guard, this is goodbye," Rani said softly as Kopa hid away. "Thank you, for helping me defend the Tree of Life. I consider each of you a member of my Pride," she then touched each of them with her paw thankfully. "Fuli, Bunga, Beshte, Ono, Anga," she then faced the lion last with a smile. "Kion, I know you need to protect the Pridelands, but I meant what I said before."
"I know." Kion nodded.
"You, and your friends, will always be welcome at the Tree of Life." Rani then said with a small smile.
"Thank you, Queen Rani. Come on, Lion Guard, time to go." Kion said.
Rani smiled as she let Kion go.
"'Til the Pridelands end..." Kion began.
"Lion Guard defend!" The others added as they ran off after him.
Janja and Jasiri went after them.
"Vitani... You can't be evil..." Kopa said softly. "We were such best friends before I left Pride Rock."
"I'm sure there's a reason why she's acting the way she is." Muguuzi said as she and Adi were joining Kopa.
"Yeah, like maybe her mother is responsible." Abi added.
Kopa looked very hurt and broken inside. Muguuzi and Abi frowned softly as they felt bad for him.
"We're very sorry, Kopa," Muguuzi said to him. "Are you going to help Kion and the others?"
"I just need a minute." Kopa said softly.
"Okay, take as much time as you need." Adi told him.
"Thank you for understanding..." Kopa nodded.
Muguuzi and Abi frowned in concern as Kopa walked off on his own as the Lion Guard left.
"Do you think they'll wait for Kopa?" Adi asked Muguuzi.
"Oh, I sure hope so," Muguuzi frowned. "Especially his brother."
Abi and Muguuzi nodded.
Kopa sat by a tree as he thought about the good times he had with Vitani when they would play together as young cubs, especially before Zira ran him out of the Pridelands before Kiara and Kion were born. "I'm sure if I come back to the Pridelands and show myself to Vitani and explain why I've been away for so long maybe she'll change," The former Lion Prince said to himself before sighing. "Yeah, right... Like it would be that easy, but nothing is ever easy so I better get going and catch up with Kion and the others." He then nodded at himself and went to go after Kion and the Lion Guard.
"Thanks for coming to get us, Jasiri." Kion smiled at the female hyena.
"You saved my family and home more than once," Jasiri smiled back. "Just returning the favor."
"Hey, wait up, guys!" Kopa called out as he went to catch up with the Lion Guard.
"What kept you?" Bunga asked him.
"That's not important right now," Kopa replied. "Let's just keep going."
"Hmm... All right then." Bunga shrugged.
They all soon continued to carry on to the path back to the Pridelands.
"Fuli, I understand that you have friends, but having hyenas for friends?" Azaad asked the female cheetah.
Janja was soon heard stopping himself before starting to scratch himself as he felt like he had a flea on him.
"That seems unlikely." Azaad then continued.
"As long as they aren't Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed, I'm fine." Kopa said to himself.
"It's a long story, but they've earned our trust." Fuli reassured her fellow cheetah.
"Ono? Still remember all of the moja kwa moja stones on Rafiki's map?" Kion soon asked the young egret.
"Indeed," Ono nodded as he suddenly thought back on what he and the others saw. "The first landmark back to the Pridelands is a giant lake." he then informed.
"Ooh, I remember that." Bunga smirked.
Anga soon took a look and nodded for memory. "Me too. Got it! The lake is this way." she then told the others.
"We'll need to move fast," Kion suggested. "It'll take us a long time to go around that lake."
"And even longer to get back to the Pridelands." Fuli then added.
"It is a shame your friends are not cheetahs," Azaad said to Fuli before gesturing to another path. "We could go this way, it would be much faster."
"Wait, you know a faster way to get to the Pridelands?" Kion asked Azaad.
"But of course," Azaad nodded. "I have traveled much, and know the fastest routes to all the Great Lands."
"Because you're a cheetah?" Kopa guessed.
"Oh, yes," Azaad nodded before frowning softly. "Alas, I don't think you're hippo friend would fit on the path we'd need to take."
"Kion, if you need to leave me behind I understand." Behste said with a small frown.
"Before we decide anything I wanna take a look and see," Kion said before facing the male cheetah. "Azaad, show us the way."
"Follow me." Azaad replied as he soon led the way to the path.
And of course, everyone else followed, including Behste for right now.