It was a little bit of a long walk over to the den where the wild dogs lived at, but Chris, Joel, Tara, and Persephone finally made it to the den near that peculiar waterhole. Many wild dogs were just hanging in and around the area, basking under the sun, and some were playing with one another. A few were eating some meat, probably from a waterbuck they had found while hunting, and quarreling over a piece of meat. Three of them were taking a sip of water near their own home to keep themselves hydrated. The four humans looked a little nervous, but Simba simply stated that he and the other lions were close with the painted dogs, and that they had nothing to worry about. It was nothing like a little warming up could help with.

When a couple of wild dogs saw the four humans, they looked a little scared and shocked to see them. Figures that they have never seen humans before, much like Simba and his family haven't, until now that is. "Simba? Nala?" a male wild dog recognized the lions who were with these alien beings.

Many of these dogs looked cautious, and readied themselves to bite and charge at all four of them. Being a caring and protective father, Joel reached for his rifle just in case, and was touching the handle of his gun in case something goes wrong. "It's OK, guys." Simba remarked. "They are friends from another place." Some wild dogs looked convinced, while most did not. Most of them were still cautious and careful around the humans. Of course, no other animal would really blame them since they had never seen humans either. It was reminding Kion of how Adewale was introduced to the Pride Lands, and trying to show everyone the magnificence of the Emela-Ntouka creatures. Perhaps every animal, or... almost every animal will accept these humans visiting these very, sacred lands that they all called their beloved home.

The proud co-leaders of this pack, Akilah and Veya, came out from the rock that was their landmark and sign of their home, and looked at the humans themselves, just as a little baffled as the other dogs.

At first, they were both startled, and a little confused, mostly until they see Simba, Nala, Kiara, Kovu, and the other lions. They don't seem to be threatened by these beings and they were calm around these beings. "Simba?" asked Akilah. "Is that you?"

"Of course. The one and only." said the king of the Pride Lands. He walked over to the male painted dog leader and gently nuzzled him on the face like a house cat. "I know you are wary of these visitors, but they mean you no harm."

"Yes, they are friendly visitors to the Pride Lands." Nala added

The co-leaders of the pack looked at the humans, whom Chris waved in a friendly gesture to show how nice he was and not a very threatening creature whatsoever. "I've never seen them before." said Veya. Okove was behind his parents, along with his other siblings, obviously towering him with their size. The co-leaders looked at the humans very carefully and Akilah looked at Chris in particular after that. Joel looked more nervous, only because he was concerned for the safety of his only son.

"These are humans, Akilah." Simba said. "I know that you're a little cautious, and I thought the same at first, but they are really nice." he smiled and looked at the humans warmly, letting them know that all four of them will be just fine. "they are like apes. Like gorillas or chimpanzees would be like. They are visiting the Pride Lands for a little while." he looked at the human boy now. "Chris, can you come here, please."

"Sure, S-Simba." the child said, slowly walking up to the dogs. His heart was beating rapidly like a drum as he got closer and closer. At last, when he was right in front of the dogs, he made a slightly nervous smile.

Joel was a little worried about this. He knew how much of successful hunters African wild dogs are. Far more successful than lions. Persephone gave him a reassuring look, telling him that everything will be fine, along with Tara. For that, Joel decided to go along with this and watched on as his son was about to speak to these lead dogs.

"So, you are humans?" asked Akilah.

"Yep. we're like apes. Our closest relatives are chimpanzees." Chris said. "I've never seen a painted dog up close before."

Kion happened to be right next to his human friend when he said: "He's my newest friend. Chris is really friendly.

"Chris hmm?" asked Veya. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Same with me." Akilah agreed. He began sniffing the boy, smelling the unfamiliar scents on him like the lions were sniffing. "hmm, you have a very interesting smell." Akilah said. "Where are you from?"

"It's a long story." Chris admitted.

"Oh! right. I forgot proper introductions. I am Akilah, and this is my mate: Veya. This is Okove, the youngest of our litter of pups."

Cody looked and saw the pup, thinking of how adorable he was, especially while slightly tilting his face to the side in curiosity.

Akilah and Veya also introduced the rest of their children to the human boy. Chris waved at them to show his friendly attitude.

"What kind of garment are you wearing?" asked Okove.

"These are clothes." Chris replied. "It's a human thing we have to look more proper."

"Proper?" asked Akilah.

"What he means to say is," Tara stepped in. "If he was naked and without any clothes on while in public, it would be considered indecent exposure."

"Well, that sounds weird." said the oldest pup of the litter.

"I know, I know." Tara said. "But we don't mean you any harm. I swear."

"Yeah, me and my family are friends with the lions. Kion trusts me and I trust him."

"I agree," said Tara, "It's like you and Kion have a special connection. I can't put my finger on it, but there is something telling me that you guys were destiny to meet one another."

"You know what?" said Kifaru. "I can't help but notice the same thing. What if you came here for a purpose? Like a destiny? or a prophecy?"

"Well, I don't know much about prophecies, Kifaru, or really believe in them, but maybe there could be something special or intriguing with Kion and my son." Small rumbling was heard, and a large rhino was coming towards the group. "Uh-oh." Joel noticed, "Rhino at ten o'clock."

"It's ok, honey." Persephone said. "Maybe he knows Simba."

"Ah, Kifaru, there you are. Your mother is getting a little worried about you." it was Chikelu. He looked at the humans ahd said: "The mysterious visitors!" he recognized.

"it's OK, Kifaru." Simba calmed him down. "They are not dangerous or evil. they are friends."

Chikelu began to calm down, and he said: "sorry, it's just that-"

"I know, i know." Cody sighed. "Yoy have just never seen a human before." from the sound of it, he was getting really tired of hearing that.

"Exactly!" Chikelu pointed. "And... a human? that is new to me. Certainly something one wouldn't see every day in the Pride Lands."

Before Chris and his family can introduce himself, the Lion's Bane popped out from the grass, looking at the Lion Guard. Ramses himself had a look of bloodlust on him, after any one of his enemy's blood. "We meet again, Kion!"