The two lovebird lions were still having a good time together, and the little Kion was still happy to be with his own girlfriend within the Rwenzori mountain range. Both of them looked over the horizon, from the gigantic, tall mountains to the green and tropical valley. It was thanks to the very high altitude that there was snow in these mountains, and it was quite an intriguing environment to be in for Kion and Rani, but still romantic. "So Rani," said Kion, "I know I might have said this before, but I think that you would be a great queen of the Back Lands."

Rani blushed at the touching comment her little boyfriend said. "Thanks Kion. And I know you have no interest in being king, but I think you would be a good ruler of the Pride lands."

Kion blushed back at what Rani just said to him. True, he had no intentions of being king of the Pride Lands, but he does have the great capabilities of a leader for a young cub his age. Yes, Kion was a special kid when it comes to leadership skills. "Yeah, like I said, I don't really want to be king. Kovu will be a better leader than me, that's for sure."

"No argument." Rani agreed with him. "So when we get back, you want to just go back home and I go home? My parents might be a little worried about me."

"Sure, I think I'm ready to go back home." Kion said. "Let's just say bye to Sokwe, Majinuni, and Hafifi before we leave these mountains."

"Good idea." the two lions did just that and bid the three royal gorillas a temporary farewell before journeying back home. They could see Pride Rock from a far distance, like a small pebble or an ant from this distance. There was still snow on the ground, and still cold, but it was thanks to the fur keeping the lions warm. Suddenly, Kion heard something from a far distance, and stopped to see if he and his girlfriend were being watched

Rani looked confused and asked: "You okay, Kion?"

"Yeah, but... I feel like we're not alone." Kion narrowed his eyes to and fro. "Keep your guard up."

"Excuse me?" said a voice. They both looked, and there was a striped hyena coming towards them. These hyenas were lightly smaller than their spotted cousins, and they prefer to live alone, unless if mating or having babies. Kion and Kiara kept their cool, and they didn't know if he was a friend or a foe, since most hyenas Kion has seen are mostly... hostile kind of animals, especially Janja and his little clan of spotted hyenas. "Are you Kion?" he asked the male cub

Kion was silent for a few seconds, and he replied: "Yes. What can i help you with?"

"I want you to know that I am not like Janja and his hyena clan." the striped Hyena remarked. "My name is Heri. I am striped hyena, and I am not like the hyenas I mentioned. No, I am a follower of the circle of life like you."

"Nice to meet you. This is-"

"Rani, I have heard of her before. I've heard of you during the battle against Inuwa and how you killed him, Kion. Word gets around fast."

"The birds?"

"Yep. That's right." Heri smiled. "I've heard about a couple of your adventures before that as well. Kion, I have a little problem with my family. Do you think you can help me?"

"Sure, what is it, Heri?"

"Come with me, i'll show you. I wanna get down in the valley before i freeze my mane and tail off." the two lions did what the striped hyena asked them to do. Of course, they were still a little cautious since all hyena species were known for their cunning. The valley was nice and warm for the three, and they went through the jungles near the mountains and were in the Pride Lands once again.

"What kind of problem do you have?" asked Kion

"I have some issues with this group of pied crows." Heri answered plainly and simply, "They've been harassing me and my cubs for a few days know. I managed to kill five of them, but some of them just keep coming back when I start eating some dead buffalo or kudu or duiker that's been dead for days. I need someone to help me get rid of those pesky, annoying crows. Do you think you can help me, Kion?"

The male cub looked a little unsure, but this hyena didn't seem so bad. He remembered how Jasiri and her clan were good hyenas and not bad ones. "Sure, we'll help you." Kion finally said. "Sorry for suspecting you were an enemy. It's just that some hyenas have given lions a hard time. Specifically Janja. Not to mention that some of them conspired with an evil lion named Scar take over my home before I was born."

"I understand. You're not the only one to suspect me as an enemy, Kion. We striped hyenas are different than spotted ones. We're more solitary unless we have families and pairs. And we're more honorable and don't mess around with some animals. Striped hyenas eat mostly carrion, and we know not to mess with lions. Mostly because they are bigger than us and one striped hyena like me wouldn't be enough to take them head-on. My neck would be in a lion's jaws if i was defeated like this." he made a face crossing his eyes, tilting his head backward and sticking his tongue out.

Kion and Jasiri chuckled. "You're funny, Heri." said Kion

"You're not the only one to say that either. I know how to make my kids and mate laugh." the striped hyena admitted. "I made other animals laugh too. And I know a couple of jokes if you want to hear any."

"Sure, let's hear one." Rani said

"What's as big as an elephant but weighs nothing?"

"I have no idea." the brown lioness admitted

"It's shadow!" Heri blurted, making Kion and his girlfriend laugh.

"That is funny." said Kion before he and Rani followed the striped hyena some more. From the looks of it, the two lions were starting to warm up to this spotted hyena even more. "I wonder if my grandfather met hyenas like you before."

"Who was that?" asked Heri

"Mufasa."

The striped hyena stopped and looked surprised to hear that name. "Mufasa? One of the greatest kings of the Pride Lands was your grandfather?"

"Yeah. He was. Has he met friendly hyenas?"

"Oh yeah. My own parents met him and they were on good terms with him." Heri smiled as he was walking some more. "I know many lions and hyenas don't really see eye-to-eye, but Mufasa cared about all creatures. He was on good terms with many of my kind, my parents included. I never met him, but I can say this; Mufasa was a great, natural-born leader for the Pride Lands."

These words made Kion smile to hear a hyena say very good things about his deceased grandfather. Of course, there was Jasiri and her little clan of friendly spotted hyenas, but still. It was probably the first time he met a striped hyena. This could be a chance to learn more about hyenas next to Jasiri, and how they usually live. Deep down, Kion wished that Janja and his cronies would stop all of this mischief that they would usually cause in the Pride Lands (terrorizing animals and trying to eat the defenseless animals that they don't normally eat), but alas, some animals never change, and Scar was one of them. Janja might never change. Or... would he?

Meanwhile, at Pride Rock

Kiara was resting with Kovu together in the cave, and they were smiling together as they were a perfect couple. "Kion really is a true hero." said Kiara. "I am so proud of him."

"Me too, Kiara." Kovu agreed. "I am as proud of him as you are. The kid's growing up fast."

"Yeah, it makes me a little sad though." Kiara admitted. "I mean, I remember when I cradled Kion when he was just a little baby, and he was one of the best things that happened to me, next to meeting you."

"Oh, come here, you." then they nuzzled each others' faces. Suddenly, a frantic Zazu came inside Pride Rock, and he was hovering in midair. "Sire! Sire! Where the devil are you?!"

Simba came rushing over to him, along with Nala. "Zazu! What's wrong?"

"Janja and his mangy cronies are on their way here."

"What? Are they looking for Kion?" Nala said.

"I... am unsure of that, they didn't say anything." the hornbill admitted. "But with rabble like them, it is never a good thing at all! We need to see what they are up to."

"We'll check out what's going on with them." Simba said. "What do you think, Nala?"

"I'm right behind you, Simba." Then she and her mate went out into the fields where Janja and his friends were waiting for them. "Ok, Janja, what do you want?" Nala asked him.

"Your majesties... Janja began to speak. "We come to make peace."

Both Simba and Nala looked rather surprised to hear that.