''Wait...take a step back...so you're taking Kion on the trail to Udugu?'' I asked Kiara, who nodded, ''...The last time you took a trail to that place, the pridelands got invaded.''
''Yes, well, my dad has said that there's nothing to worry about since he's staying here.'' Kiara replied, ''But, Kion told me that he's putting you in charge of the lion guard until we get back.''
That caused me to pause.
''...He what?'' I said with a fake grin...oh boy…
''He trusts you, Connor, so he's making you the leader of the lion guard until we return.'' Kiara explained and I started sweating. Me? Leader of the lion guard?
Could give you new opportunities to become a leader, Connor.
But I am NOT the leader Kion is, Mohatu. There's no way i'll do good as a lion guard leader.
But as a future king, you must know how to be a good leader, so this is the chance for you to do so. Your day as a substitute king was a one day affair, so this is a chance to be accustomed with other groups other than the monarchy.
….
''...Fine.'' I said and Kiara beamed at that, ''I'll do it.''
''Great!'' Kiara shouted, ''I'll tell Kion you're going to be the leader while my dad resumes his role as king.''
''Yeah, do that.'' I said dryly..oh boy…
''Okay, Shujaa, you know I trust you a lot, but can you promise not to put the guard in any considerable danger?'' Kion asked and I raised an eyebrow.
''Doesn't Fuli live for the danger?'' I asked as Fuli did a nervous chuckle, but a hard look from Kion caused me to sigh, ''Yes, I do, Kion.''
''Good!'' Kion said before hugging me, ''I'll miss ya.''
Slowly, I hugged him back.
''Good luck, Kion.'' I said as Kion broke the hug and ran off to meet Nala and Kiara as I turned to the guard, ''So….''
''...What now?'' Fuli ended and I smirked.
''I know what we can do.'' I said and the guard looked at each other.
''So, how have you been doin', pal?'' Timon asked me as the guard and I decided to pay a visit to him and Pumbaa.
''Could have been better.'' I said while shrugging, ''Everything at my world is more broody than a depressed hippo, so it's hardly great there.''
''Hey!'' Beshte shouted, apparently taking offense to the 'depressed hippo' remark.
''But anyway, Kion left me in charge of the guard and i'm wondering about something to do since Zazu didn't report any trouble at the borders.'' I explained and Timon rubbed his chin, ''I figured you two would know what to do.''
''Well, you've come to the right place, buddy!'' Timon declared as he snapped his fingers, causing Pumbaa to use his tusks to lift up a log, revealing bugs. As Bunga and I walked to the bugs, with me picking up a worm with my claw and flinging it into my mouth in order to try it and Bunga outright grabbing a handful of insects, the other guard members did a simple 'uck!'.
''You eat this stuff?'' Fuli asked and I scoffed.
''In certain countries, humanity eats bugs, so I figured i'd try due to a lion's different taste buds.'' I explained as I chewed on the worm and swallowed it, ''Isn't half bad, I will admit.''
''Always good for your health!'' Bunga said as I chuckled.
''In my world, bugs aren't the most healthiest of foods.'' I said, ''It usually came down to fruits and vegetables that are the most healthy.''
''Well, your world sounds boring.'' Timon scoffed before walking to a waterfall.
''You have no idea.'' I said while following him, Pumbaa and Bunga as the guard was behind me, ''There's always wars, always death, always politicians saying they're better than everyone else and shooting down those who speak negatively. Narcissistic fools who believe they deserve their spot as leaders.''
''...Boy, have you not been living the good life?'' Timon sighed before getting on a swing made of vines, ''You got all of that boring stuff in your world and yet here, you have EVERYTHING you need!''
''Yeah, I realize that.'' I started, ''But what's important is that i'm being king in a matter of weeks, so who knows what will happen under my rule.''
''Well, anything can happen.'' Timon pointed out as he picked up a beetle and ate it , ''Just make sure the grub supply doesn't run out.''
''No promises since it's you and Pumbaa.'' I said while swinging on a vine swing, ''Kiara hates the things.''
''Tch, amateur.'' Timon scoffed, ''Show her lunch one day and she suddenly hates grubs.''
''SHUJAA! SHUJAA!'' Ono screamed from the distance, causing me to jump and fall down a waterfall and into the water. When I stuck my head out, I saw Ono flying in front of me, ''JANJA'S CLAN IS ENTERING THE PRIDELANDS!''
...Well, there goes having a peaceful day with the guard…
Quite interesting.
''Ono, scout ahead!'' I told the egret, who nodded and flew off as Bunga was on my back, which I must say wasn't the most satisfying thing in the world, Fuli was running ahead and Beshte was running next to me, ''God, this is gonna be tricky.''
''You helped Kion through obstacles, i'm sure you can lead us through this.'' Bunga reminded me, but I laughed.
''Kion is one animal and is family...you are FOUR animals and I hardly know you.'' I reminded him, ''I knew about Kion before he was even born and here I am leading his lackeys because Nala and Kiara are taking him to a place that doesn't even exist...but regardless, we must focus on stopping Janja and his cronies.''
''Right!'' The guard shouted as we reached a large rock and Ono landed before me.
''Anything?'' I asked and Ono nodded.
''Janja's clan is cornering an antelope herd!'' Ono informed me and I scoffed.
''Bah, it's always the antelopes!'' I sighed before walking up to the top of the rock, ''In the words of Kion..til the pride lands end-''
''Lion guard defend!'' The guard finished before we all made our way towards Janja's clan.
When we managed to reach the location of Janja's attack, I roared, getting the intended attention from Janja's clan.
''Wait, what?'' Janja asked, ''No Kion?''
''Tch, i'm hardly the sentimental one Kion is.'' I said and Janja smirked.
''Nice seeing you again, Shujaa.'' Janja mockingly said, ''Kingship going well?''
''That was a one day thing, Janja, now what are you doing here?'' I asked and Janja snickered.
''We were here for a feast since Mzingo told me that there was some sort of royal event going on for the pridelanders.'' Janja explained, ''A feast to catch you lions off guard, but it seems that you, as always, are the least clueless of the bunch.''
''Yes, well, get out of the pridelands.'' I growled, ''I do not want the peace of the pridelands ruined by you folks.''
''Well, you see…'' Janja started before smirking, ''NOW!''
Just then, his clan ran at us, causing me to jump back as Janja went to swipe me, causing him to chuckle.
''This will be interesting.'' Janja said and I frowned.
''No, it will likely be boring for me.'' I spat and Janja growled.
''Don't mock me, fur-brain!'' Janja yelled and I did a fake cringe.
''Ooh, the ironic insults are scathing.'' I said as Janja pounced at me, only for me to slam him down with my paws, ''And so is that.''
However, Janja smacked me in the face, stunning me long enough for him to wiggle free and pounce at me, but I managed to push him back before throwing him into his clan, then running towards it.
''Fuli!'' I shouted as the cheetah zipped past the hyenas, causing them to get off of the ground, ''Bunga!''
As I said Bunga's name, he jumped off of Beshte and prepared to fart..oh boy.
''EVERYONE, COVER YOUR NOSE!'' I screamed as Fuli, Ono and Beshte covered their noses and Bunga blew a gasket, causing green gas to go around the hyenas, ''Oh god…''
The gas caused the hyenas to pass out, but Janja managed to cover his nose in time. As Janja looked down at his clan, he screamed at them.
''GET UP!'' He screamed as the hyenas slowly started getting up, ''WE HAVE TO MOVE!''
Quickly, the hyenas ran off as I scoffed and the guard cheered.
Well, that was short.
That's an understatement.
As I was napping in the den, I was woken up by a familiar voice.
''..Back, Connor.'' I heard Kiara say as I slowly opened my eyes.
''Oh...hey Kiara..'' I said sleepily, ''How was your trip?''
''It was great!'' Kiara started, ''Turns out that udugu wasn't an actual place, though…''
''Oh, it wasn't?'' I asked sarcastically, to the obliviousness of my princess, ''I never knew that.''
''I know, right?'' She replied, ''It was mean to teach us a lesson about working together.''
''Seemed like you were doing well enough prior to this trip, though.'' I pointed out, causing Kiara to shrug.
''Ask my mom, not me.'' Kiara said before smiling, ''So, how was being leader of the lion guard?''
''It was decent.'' I answered, ''Janja's clan invaded, but we stopped them before they could do any real harm.''
''Well, at least they're stopped.'' Kiara sighed before walking up to me, ''Kion kept speaking highly of you, so much in fact it caught me off guard.''
''Well, you aren't the only heir that holds me in high regard, Kiara.'' I said, ''So, what all did you folks do?''
''Well...that might be a story for another time.'' Kiara said before laughing as I slowly chuckled with her.
NEXT: When Shujaa and Kion stumble into the outlands, they encounter a hyena that teaches them that not all creatures are what they seem.