The Rise of Makuu
(Special guest star Gerald C. Rivers)
The Lion Guard was rushing through the Pride Lands to save an animal in distress.
"It's coming from Ukuni Woods," Ono said, flying through the air.
"What do we got Ono?" Kion asked the egret.
"Hyenas?" Kufu wondered by Kion's left.
"Jackals?" Fuli questioned by the prince's right.
"Vultures?" Beshte queried from behind Kion.
"Hyenas, jackals, vultures," Bunga said running past the hippo, "Whatever it is, the Lion Guard can take it," he stated, enthusiastically.
"Getting it in sight," Ono used his vision and saw a hyrax in a thorn bush holding a snake's skin, "Really?" the Keenest of sight said, rolling his eyes.
Ono then landed near the thorn bush and the Guard ran up to him.
"Ono, status report," Kion requested.
Ono sighed, "Nothing thrilling, just a hyrax stuck in a thorn bush," he said and the Guard notice the hyrax.
"Seriously?" Fuli rolled her eyes.
"That's not so bad," Beshte smiled.
"The little guy looks kinda cute," Kufu mentioned.
"We rushed all the way across the Pride Lands for this? Are you kidding me?" The honey badger complained.
"Bunga, the Lion Guard's duty is to defend the Circle of Life," Kion reminded.
"Yeah, even if it means helping a hyrax out of a thorn bush," The Slyest said, backing Kion up and then he got an idea, "And since honey badgers have thick skin, why don't you try getting him out?" Kufu suggested.
"Alright, let's do this," Bunga cracked his knuckles and walked up to the thorn bush and tried to get the hyrax out, "Come on, hyraxie, let's get you outta there."
The hyrax didn't want to get out and went back to the thorn bush, "Uh, Little B, I think the hyrax is trying to avoid being shredded by the thorns," The Strongest pointed out.
"Yeah, but why does he wanna stay in the thorn bush?" Kufu asked in confusion.
The Bravest then got an idea, "Kion why not use the Roar? It'll flatten the bush."
"If Kion flattens the thorn bush with the Roar, it would really hurt the hyrax, Bunga," The Fastest member of the Guard pointed out.
"Oh, I hadn't thought about that," Bunga replied, sheepishly.
Kion rolled his eyes, "Look, we don't need the Roar, we can just move the thorns aside."
"Oh yeah, Zuka Zama!" Bunga went to the bush and moved the thorns aside, "Let's go, hyraxie, move it!" He requested, but the hyrax wouldn't budge.
Kufu raised an eyebrow, "How come he doesn't want to get out of that bush?"
"I got this," Fuli said as she sped to get the rodent, putting it on the grass.
"Thanks, Fuli, and nice job, Bunga, you two did well," Kion praised.
They then saw the hyrax rolling around the snake skin it's holding.
"Whoa! Weird, it must really like that snake skin," the cheetah said as she watched the hyrax curl up into a ball with the snake skin around him.
"No that's not it," Ono began to explain, "It's using the scent from the snake skin to mask its own, that way snakes won't detect him, pretty clever."
"Not if a snake is right behind you," Kufu said as they see Ushari right behind the hyrax.
Ushari hissed at the hyrax and then ate him with an audible gulp.
"Hey, we just saved that guy," Bunga said as he grabbed Ushari by the tail and rolled him up, making him spit out the hyrax.
Ushari looked at Bunga and hissed, "Ssssssssay, that was my lunch."
Bunga grabbed Ushari's neck, "Yeah, well it looks like it was to go," he rolled the cobra up into a ball, "And now, so are you," the honey badger threw him, making the Guard duck and Beshte fall into a puddle.
Ushari bumped into a tree and hissed, "That Bunga is gonna be the death of me," he slithered away.
Kion walked up to Bunga and scolded him, "That was not a nice thing to do Bunga."
Kufu scoffed, "If you ask me, I think Ushari deserved that."
"Kufu?" Kion looked at his friend with a raised brow.
"Hey, don't give me that look," Kufu said, defensively, "You know that I don't like Ushari. I get a bad vibe when I'm near him."
Kion rolled his eyes and groaned, "Well, at least we now know why the hyrax didn't want to come out of that bush."
The hyrax hugged Bunga but his face scrunched up and he ran away, squealing, causing Fuli to burst out laughing, "Bunga, I think your smell might be even scarier than the snake."
"I'll take that as a compliment," Bunga grinned.
Ono flew over and sniffed Bunga, gagging, "I wouldn't," he covered his nose.
Everyone saw Beshte covered in mud and flowers.
"Hey, Beshte, is everything OK?" Kufu asked as everyone looked at the hippo and Ono flew onto his back.
"Poa! The flowers got me a little bit sticky is all," Beshte replied.
"Sticky?" Ono looked at his feathers and they were stuck on Beshte's back, "Oh-no! I'd say a lot sticky, hapana!" the egret freed himself and landed on a smooth rock.
The jolt caused Beshte to land near a tree and he got stuck on it and when he freed himself, he saw some bark on him, "Poa! I just might need a bath," he stated.
Something sparked in Ono's mind, "How long has it been since you've had a bath, Bunga?"
"Does the last time I fell off a waterfall count?" Bunga asked and everyone shook their heads, "In that case, it's been...I don't know how long," he smirked.
"No wonder why that hyrax ran away from you," Fuli chuckled.
Kufu sniffed Bunga and coughed, "Fuli's right, Bunga, you really do stink. Hevi kabisa! And I thought Pumbaa smelled bad."
"Come on, that's just how Bunga smells," Kion defended and put a paw on him, "He's always been a bit-" the lion scrunched his face when he caught the scent, "Uhh fragrant."
"Try taking a dip in Big Springs, Little B," Beshte suggested, "I'm sure the fish there will get you cleaned up."
"Fish?" The Lion Guard said in confusion.
Beshte brought the Guard to Big Springs and he walked into the lake while the Guard was on the shore and the fish started cleaning his body, "The fish in Big Springs love getting the mud and dirt off us hippos," he explained, "They even go for the food stuck in my teeth, check it out," the hippo opened his mouth and the fish started cleaning his teeth before swimming off.
Then Beshte's father, a large, bulky gray hippopotamus with a notch in one ear and teal eyes, came up and laughed a little bit, "And when there's too many fish in the lake, the crocodiles come and eat the fish," Basi explained, "It's the Circle of Life at its finest."
Beshte walked up to his father, "You said it, Dad, now I'm feeling clean as a whistle."
"I'll say," everyone turned to see a female purplish gray hippo with a tuff of hair on her head and eyelashes and blue eyes walk up to Beshte, "Hi, Lion Guard, and hi, Beshte, it's nice to see you again," the female hippo greeted.
Beshte started to blush, slightly, "Hey, Mzuri, it's nice to see you too," he said, nervously and Mzuri giggled.
Kufu smirked, "Well, well, well, it looks like Beshte has an admirer kinda like how Kion and Fuli admire each other," he teased.
Kion and Fuli glared at Kufu, "Shut it, Kufu!" They said in unison and then looked at each other in shock, blushing and laughing, nervously.
Kufu chuckled at them, "My point exactly."
Ono looked at Bunga, "Are you willing to give it a try, Bunga?"
Bunga shrugged, "Why not? I'll try anything once, Zuka Zama!" He jumped into the water, splashing Kion, Fuli, and Kufu in the process and they weren't impressed, "Here, fishy, fishy, fishy," the honey badger called out for the fish as he walked to the middle of the lake with a dark green cloud following behind him, then the fish smelled him and swam away leaving Bunga in confusion, "Hey, where are you going?"
Everyone laughed then Mzuri stopped laughing, "Oh man, talk about bad luck for Bunga, he really stinks."
"Basi," everyone turned to see some crocodiles coming up to them and their leader, an elderly crocodile with swamp green scales and several dark green spots covering his body spoke up, "It has been many weeks, how are the fish today?"
"More than last time, Pua," Basi replied, "But not enough for your float of crocs, swing by next week?"
Pua sighed and nodded, "Very well then," he turned to the crocodiles, "Move on, my friends, we'll eat somewhere else today."
"Wait a minute," another crocodile with lighter screen scales and yellow eyes walked up, "Pua, you said that we were gonna be eating fish today."
Kufu sighed in annoyance when he saw the crocodile, "Oh God, it's him again. This guy reminds me of Kopa."
Pua shook his head and sighed, "Makuu, there aren't enough fish yet," the leader tried to explain, "You heard what Basi said, we will come by next week."
Makuu rolled his eyes, "Yeah, yeah, I heard him but why should we crocodiles listen to a hippo?" He questioned.
"I told you before, Makuu, it's the Circle of Life," Pua reminded.
"That's what you say," Makuu scoffed then spoke where everyone can hear him, "But I think you listen to the hippos because you're weak, afraid of them but I'm not afraid of anyone and that's why I call for a mashindano," he challenged.
"A mashindano? I've never heard of that before," Mzuri said
Beshte looked at his dad, "Dad, what is a mashindano?"
"A mashindano is a physical challenge," Basi answered, "It's how the crocodiles determine their leader."
"Hevi Kabisa!" Kion exclaimed, glancing at Fuli and Kufu.
"Oh-no! that's not good at all," Kufu said, worriedly.
"A mashindano?" Pua repeated.
"You heard me," Makuu snapped, "Now, do you accept or will you surrender your leadership immediately?" He growled trying to intimidate Pua.
Pua wasn't fazed, "I accept your challenge, Makuu," he agreed, "And according to tradition, the mashindano will take place near Lake Matope at sunset," Pua and the other crocodiles left Big Springs then Makuu grinned, evilly and Kufu noticed, getting a bad feeling.
At the watering hole, Kufu paced back and forth while his moms Kula and Tama were relaxing near a tree.
"I don't like this mashindano thing. Why should a fight determine who the crocodile leader should be?" Kufu said, still moving.
"Kufu, sweetie, calm down," Kula said, trying to calm down her son, "You're gonna overwhelm yourself."
Kufu stopped and looked at his moms, "Well, Moms, what do you two think we should do about this?"
"There's nothing we can do, Kufu," Tama answered, "It's the crocodile way."
Kufu rolled his eyes, "That was not the answer I was looking for and not a lot of help, Moms," he deadpanned as he lied down.
Kula then looked at Tama, "You know he takes after you, Tama."
"I know he does," Tama agreed.
"I just don't know what to do, Moms," Kufu sighed, "You both taught me that fighting isn't the answer to everything."
"Yes we did but remember, Kufu, Simba had to fight Scar to regain leadership of the Pride Lands," Kula reminded.
"But that was different," Kufu noted, "Scar wasn't the rightful king. Makuu is just looking for a fight," he got up and resumed roaming, "He wants to fight because he didn't get his way like a crybaby, kinda like Kopa."
Kula and Tama exchanged a glance and looked back at their son.
"So that's what this is all about," Tama said, "You're still pissed about that incident with the crocodiles?"
"This has nothing to do with that!" Kufu yelled and then calmed down, "Sorry for yelling, I just don't like what's happening. If only there was a way to..." he then saw Pride Rock and got an idea, "Wait a minute, that's it, maybe King Simba can do something about this."
Kula and Tama shook their heads in disappointment.
"Kufu, your mother and I taught you better than that," Kula scolded.
Kufu winced, "What, what did I do?" he asked with his ears lowered.
"Everyone in the Pride Lands has their own customs," Tama reminded, "And every animal needs to be respected. Simba knows this, as well, for as long as we've known him."
Kufu looked down, "Oh right, I forgot about that," he apologized.
Kula and Tama got up and walked towards Kufu, nuzzling him.
"It's OK, Kufu, we know you don't like this, but maybe it'll turn out for the better or for the worst," Kula reassured.
"I really hope it's not for the worst," Kufu said.
It was now sundown and every animal in the Pride Lands gathered around Lake Matope to watch the mashindano and the crocodiles formed a circle with Pua and Makuu in the middle; Simba and Nala were not far, Kiara stood beside her mother with Tiffu and Zuri; Kion was standing beside his dad and his Guard was on the other side with Dalia and Kopa not too far; and Mzuri, Rafiki, Basi, Kula, Tama, and Nyla right behind them.
"Your confidence is admirable, Makuu," Pua said, calm and clear, "But your oversized ego is not."
Makuu scoffed, "You're old and weak, Pua," he growled, "Today is the end of your reign."
Makuu launched himself at Pua which he dodges and then Pua used a tail whip, sending Makuu flying.
"Oh yeah!" Bunga cheered with a fist pump, "And the first point goes to Pua."
"There's no points in a mashindano, Bunga," Mzuri said.
Beshte looked at his crush in confusion, "What do you mean, Mzuri?"
"Well, my dads told me that in a mashindano the crocodiles have to keep fighting until submission," Mzuri answered.
Dalia cringed, "Yeesh, that sounds like it's very tiring."
"My bet goes to Makuu," Kopa said, "Because he's young, fit, and has a better chance of winning."
Kufu rolled his eyes, "Of course you would say that," he muttered under his breath.
The fight continued with Pua getting more hits. The Guard winced when Pua gave Makuu an uppercut. Pua then rushed towards Makuu and headbutted him, sending him flying into a rock.
"Ouch, he's definitely gonna feel that in the morning," Fuli winced.
"Why are crocodiles always so violent?" Ono asked, flapping his wings.
"I ask myself that question everyday, Ono," Kufu said.
"Guys, look," Bunga said as everyone looked back at the fight.
Makuu got the upper claw and pinned Pua down, holding one of his legs with his jaw.
"Makuu's got Pua with a jaw vice," Bunga commented.
Pua then slammed his tail on Makuu and turned the tables on him.
"And Pua did the escape and mount," Bunga added, "Claw bar, now Makuu's in trouble."
"Come on Pua," Kion said, quietly, "Get him."
Makuu used his strength and pushed Pua off him, causing the two crocodiles to tumble around the ring, then Makuu threw Pua at the edge of the lake.
"Whoa! What an escape," Bunga said, Kion and Kufu exchanged a worried glance.
Pua then got up to his feet, breathing, heavily and Makuu smirked.
"Are you running out of tricks, Pua?" Makuu taunted, ramming into Pua, pinning him down and making him unable to break free.
"Uh-oh! That might be it," Basi said from behind his son.
"But that's a simple hold," Bunga noted, "Why can't Pua escape?"
"Easy, now he's tired," Basi said, "Pua may have better technique but Makuu is too strong and fit for him."
"I just said that," Kopa stated, "Makuu's got this in the bag," Dalia bit down on Kopa's tail and he winced, "Ow! Stop biting my tail," he growled at his sister.
"Stop being a jerk and I'll stop biting your tail," Dalia growled back.
"OK, that's enough, you two," Nyla butted in, "We don't need to start another fight here."
Pua struggled to get free, but Makuu put his left leg on his neck with his claws out, pinning his opponent down.
"Where do you think you're going, Pua?" Makuu growled, "Nowhere."
Pua tried to get away, but the weight was too strong for him and he knew that he couldn't get free, so with a heavy sigh, he reached out and tapped Makuu's leg.
"Pua's tapping out, he gives up!" Bunga exclaimed.
"What?" Kufu gasped with wide eyes.
"You mean Makuu wins?" Kion asked, glancing at his mother.
"I'm afraid so, Son," Nala confirmed.
"I called it," Kopa said.
"Shut it, Kopa!" Kufu growled.
Simba approached the crocodiles and stood in front of Makuu, "Congratulations, Makuu, you have won the mashindano. You are now the leader of the crocodiles, you have very thick skin to fill," he then went over to Pua, "Pua, you have been a wise leader for many years and for that, you have my thanks."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Pua bowed before leaving the crocodiles.
"Ha! Don't let the reeds hit you on the way out, Pua," Makuu laughed.
"Wait, where the heck is Pua going?" Kufu asked.
"As defeated leader, Makuu's banished from the crocodile float," Rafiki answered, leaning on his staff.
The crocodiles started chanting Makuu's name as he approached the shores of Lake Matope.
"That's right, Makuu, leader of the crocodiles," he boasted.
The animals then left to go their separate ways, leaving only Kion and Kufu near the lake.
"I just hope that Makuu's big win isn't a big lost for the Pride Lands," Kion sighed.
"You and me both, man," Kufu agreed, "You and me both."
The two lion cubs left the lake and returned to Pride Rock.
The next morning, the Lion Guard was in their lair, relaxing. Ono was on a mission to cure Bunga of his stench, Kufu was relaxing near the lake, Beshte was standing in the water, Kion was on the top rock, resting, and Fuli was laying on the stone beneath him.
"OK, let me try one last thing," Ono suggested, flying to a large rock with his nest.
"One last thing," Fuli repeated, "Ain't that what you said the last time?" She rested her head on her paws.
"No, I think the one three times before that was the last time," Kufu corrected, "If you don't count the many times he tried at Hakuna Matata Falls."
"What'cha got, Ono?" Bunga asked, heading to his nest.
"Pumice," Ono answered, "Just flap around the dust and you'll be odor-free. It always works for me," he said, flapping his wings around the dust, creating a small cloud.
"OK then," Bunga shrugged as he jumped in the dust and started sneezing.
Fuli and Kufu let out a laugh,
"Are you trying to stop Bunga from smelling or being able to smell?" Fuli chuckled, Kufu went over to her and high-pawed her.
"Kion!" Kiara called out, running into the lair.
"Hey, Kiara," Beshte greeted, "What's the kerbubble?"
"Zazu has received word that a herd of giraffes has moved into the baboon's forest," Kiara said, "And Dad is out hunting with Mom, same goes for your moms, Kufu."
"We're on it, Kiara," Kion said as he got to his feet, "Lion Guard, let's go!" The rest followed their leader to the tip of Pride Rock, "Ono what do you see?"
"It's crazy, Kion," Ono answered, "Not only have the giraffes moved into the baboon's forest, the Acacia Savannah where the giraffes live are full of zebras and antelopes," he went on, "The zebra and antelope's grazing ground is filled with elephants, and the elephant's watering hole is filled with hippos."
"Hevi Kabisa!" Kion said in shock, "Is no one in the Pride Lands in their usual habitat?"
"Wait, there's more," Ono added, "It appears Makuu and the crocodiles have taken over Big Springs."
Kufu nodded, "OK, now I get it, when the crocodiles kicked the hippos out of Big Springs they ended up making everyone else move too."
"Lion Guard, let's go talk to Makuu and get this sorted out," Kion said as the Guard went to Big Springs.
The Lion Guard arrived at Big Springs and Kion walked up to the crocodile leader, "Makuu we have a problem, you taking over Big Springs has caused mayhem all over the Pride Lands," he informed, "So, I need you and the crocs to leave."
Makuu laughed, "Why should we leave? The fish in the lake taste great," a fish jumped out of the water and Makuu ate it in midair, "I think we're here to stay, that is unless you want to fight," he challenged the prince.
"Come on, Kion you can take this guy," Bunga urged.
"Makuu's got no respect for anyone," Beshte added.
"Beshte's right," Fuli agreed.
"You won't get an argument from me," Ono followed.
"Whoa! Whoa there, guys, fighting isn't the answer to everything," Kufu argued, glaring at the others.
"Kufu's right," Kion agreed with his Slyest.
"Ha! Only weak and cowardly leaders are afraid to fight," Makuu scoffed at the prince.
"I'm not afraid," Kion said as he stood tall with clouds starting to blow above him then he calmed down and looked away from crocodile leader, "No, let's go."
"But why?" Bunga asked, disappointed.
"If I start using the Roar when I'm angry, I'll be as bad as Scar," Kion said, looking down.
"He's got a point," Kufu agreed, "And the Roar might destroy whatever fish are in the lake."
"Kufu's right again," Kion nodded, "So, there must be a way to get Makuu to leave Big Springs."
"That's right, Kion, go," Makuu called out, "The new leader of the crocodiles takes orders from nobody."
Fuli growled at the crocodile before walking up to Kion, "Kion, there's gotta be something that we can do."
"Wait," Kion halted, "I have an idea."
The Lion Guard tracked down Pua, the old crocodile leader, and found him. Kion went up to talk to him while the others waited.
"So, do you think Pua will agree to help us?" Fuli asked Kufu.
"I'm not sure, Fuli," Kufu shrugged, "But I hope he does because we're running out of ideas."
"I don't see how I can help," Pua said.
"I was thinking if you call for another mashindano, you might be able to defeat Makuu," Kion explained, "Then you might be able to lead the crocodiles again."
Pua shook his head, "You were there, Kion, Makuu is stronger than me," he scoffed, "There are times when you have to accept when you've been beaten. Even though you might not like it, Makuu has most certainly won"
"But that doesn't make him a better leader than you," Kion pointed out.
"True, but he's young, he can learn," Pua explained, "Take my advice, if you really want to avoid a fight with Makuu, the best thing to do is just back down," he then walked away from the prince.
Kion walked back to his friends.
"You're not just gonna give up, are you, Kion?" Bunga asked.
"Of course not," Kion rebuffed, "The Circle of Life depends on us."
"Then what are we gonna do?" Beshte questioned.
"I don't know yet," Kion shook his head, "Maybe my dad has some ideas."
The Lion Guard returned to Pride Rock and saw Kiara, Tiffu, and Zuri standing outside of the main den.
"Hey, Kiara," Kion called out, "Is Dad back yet?"
"No, and it's a good thing he isn't," Kiara said as she showed the Guard what's in the den.
"Oh crap!" Kion and Kufu said as they noticed baboons all over the place going crazy.
"The king and queen are not gonna be happy to see Pride Rock filled with baboons," Tiffu said, rolling her eyes.
"You guys better do something," Zuri said, then a baboon started messing with her tail, "And quit messing with my tail!" She bared her teeth at the baboon, scaring him away.
"The animals need to go back to where they belong," Kiara said.
"Girls, girls, calm down, we're working on it," Kufu grunted as a baboon jumped on his back and he backed it off, "But Makuu won't listen to reason, he's more stubborn than Kopa."
"I've got it!" Ono exclaimed, "I've found a solution: Mentha Piperita, also known as peppermint," he said as he held up a bunch of leaves.
Kion sniffed the leaves, "Um, Ono, how exactly are mint leaves supposed to get Makuu to leave Big Springs?"
"Oh, no, not that problem," Ono said, grabbing Bunga as he was chasing a baboon, "This problem," he then rubbed the leaves on Bunga and laid some on the ground, "Bunga, do us all a favor and roll around the mint leaves."
Bunga shrugged, "OK, sure," he started to roll around the leaves.
"Oh, just like the hyrax," Fuli noted.
"Now, eat this one," Ono grabbed one of the leaves and handed it to Bunga.
Bunga sniffed the leaf and ate it, "Whoa, spicy!" he laughed, "Ooh, my mouth is tingling," he let out a burp, "Sorry."
Ono sniffed the air and smiled, "Ah-ha, it worked!" He exclaimed, "Bunga, you are stink free."
"How about that?" Fuli chuckled, "Bunga's minty fresh."
"Well I'll be a monkey's uncle," Kufu said, then a baboon looked at him in confusion and Kufu chuckled, nervously, "No offense."
"Oh, that's great!" Zuri said, sarcastically, "But don't you have bigger things to worry about like, oh I don't know, baboons overrunning Pride Rock?"
"You got a point, Zuri," Kiara said, looking at Kion, "So you have any ideas, Kion?"
"I don't know yet," Kion admitted, then he turned to the den, "Lion Guard, head back to the lair, I need to think about this," Kion said as he left.
The others watched as they left.
"I hope he can come up with something," Tiffu said.
"You're telling me," Beshte said, annoyed as baboons started climbing all around him.
"Ugh, baboons," Fuli groaned and rolled her eyes.
Kion walked up to a little hill and took a seat, looking at the sky, "Grandfather, I don't know if you can hear me but I'm not sure what to do."
The sky then formed into Mufasa, "I'm always here for you, Kion."
"The new crocodile leader, Makuu, he's caused so many problems for the Pride Lands," Kion sighed, "And all he wants to do is fight."
"Fighting is the crocodile way," Mufasa reminded.
"I think Makuu is a bully," Kion said, "But Pua, the old crocodile leader, said that I should just back down and walk away."
"There are times to back down, Kion," Mufasa reassured his grandson, "But a true leader has to know when to stand his ground."
Kion stood up in confusion, "But fighting can't be the answer to every problem."
Mufasa chuckled, "Standing your ground doesn't mean you have to fight," he said, "It means you're not afraid to stand up to someone who you know is wrong and show them you're not going to back down."
Kion nodded his head, "Yeah, I think I understand now. Thank you, Grandfather."
Mufasa smiled and then disappeared in the clouds before Kion went back to the lair.
At the lair, the Guard was listening to Kion about the plan he had.
"If Makuu wants to put up a fight, then he needs to know that the Lion Guard can bring it," Kion said with determination.
"Alright!" Bunga said, excitedly, "Now we're talking."
Kufu sighed, "I just hope that there's a way we can avoid the fight."
"I hope we still can, Kufu," Kion said to his friend, "Maybe a demonstration of the Roar will show Makuu what he's up against without hurting anyone."
"Can we do that?" Fuli asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Maybe you can use the Roar near the grove of trees near the springs," Beshte suggested, "Because as far as I know, no one lives there and I know just about everybody."
"Perfect!" Kion agreed, "Bunga, Fuli, Ono, you make sure the grove is cleared of animals because nobody is where they usually are today," he ordered, "Beshte, Kufu, you're with me."
The Guard rushed out of the lair, "'Till the Pride Lands end, Lion Guard defend!"
Ono, Fuli, and Bunga were at the grove and Fuli was running across the field while Ono was in the sky to see if there's any animal there but there weren't any.
"Looks clear to me," Fuli said.
"Ono, do you see anything?" Bunga called out.
"Nope," Ono said, "I think we're good to give Kion the high sign," he then saw something in the distance, "Wait, I think I see something," he used his sight to see the same hyrax they saved sitting on a branch, eating a leaf, "Oh-no, no, no, not this hyrax again!"
Meanwhile, Kion, Beshte and Kufu went to Big Springs and confronted Makuu.
"Makuu!" Kion yelled as he approached the shores, kneeling down, "You and your crocs need to leave Big Springs now!"
"Or the Lion Guard is gonna force you out!" Kufu said with a bite and Beshte nodded in agreement.
"Tough talk, cubs," Makuu chuckled, staring at the prince, "Do you think you can back it up with action?" He asked as his crocodiles appeared out of the water behind him.
"You better believe he can," Beshte said with Kufu nodding his head.
Ono saw what's happening and he got worried.
"Hapana! Kion's about to use the Roar!" Ono flew towards the hyrax, "Little hyrax, you need to leave this tree, something quite dangerous will be occurring pretty soon," he warned the hyrax but it just continued eating.
"If I could climb trees, I know I could get the hyrax to move," Fuli said with an eye roll.
Bunga remembered something, "Wait, I know how to scare him off," he climbed the tree and went towards the hyrax, "Hey, hyraxie, remember me and my stink," he said, the hyrax sniffed Bunga but didn't smell anything and went back to eating, "Zuka Zama! My new minty fresh smell, it makes my stink useless."
"Oh-no! What have I done?" Ono exclaimed.
"Guys, Kion is about to use the Roar," Fuli warned, "So we gotta get going, now!"
"I know, but my stink isn't scaring him away," Bunga said, "Do you think I should eat him?"
"NO!" Fuli and Ono said in unison.
"Bunga, just grab the hyrax and get down here," Fuli ordered, "We'll worry about your stink later."
"Alright, Zuka Zama!" Bunga yelled as he grabbed the hyrax and jumped off the tree with the hyrax screaming from the fall until they landed on Fuli's back.
"Gotcha! Now, let's get outta here," Fuli said as she started to run, "Ono, give the high sign."
Ono flew up in the sky and started circling above, signaling that the coast was clear. Beshte and Kufu got out of Kion's way.
"Alright, Kion, you're all clear to roar," Kufu informed.
Kion nodded and Looked back at Makuu, "Alright, Makuu, if you wanna fight then the Lion Guard can bring it," he said, standing his ground, "Just be careful with what you asked for."
"Oh?" Makuu questioned, not believing him, "And why is that?"
"Because of this," Kion turned and used the Roar, blowing all the leaves off the trees.
Makuu was left jaw-dropped and wide-eyed, "Um," he cleared his throat, "Perhaps it's time we move on. Big Springs is running out of fish anyway."
Kion, Beshte, and Kufu smiled.
Ono flew over the Pride Lands and saw everyone where they belong, "Ah, that's what I like to see," he said, "Everyone back to where they all belong."
At Big Springs, the crocodiles were leaving Big Springs and the hippo's were returning.
"Looks like the Circle of Life is back in balance," Kion said.
Fuli nudged Kion's shoulder, "You did a pretty good job there, Ki, you never cease to amaze me."
Kion blushed, "Heh, thanks, Fuli" he then looked at the Guard, "And nice job, everybody."
"Except for one thing," Basi said, "Makuu," Makuu then looked at him, "Once the fish population is back up, you and the crocs are welcome to come back," he said, "But all you have to do is ask."
"I'll keep that in mind," Makuu sighed before leaving the pond.
Beshte smiled, then Mzuri walked up to him.
"Thanks for getting our home back, Beshte," Mzuri thanked.
Beshte smiled, "No problem, Mzuri, it's all the Lion Guard's duty," he said, wiggling his ears.
Mzuri smiled and walked in the lake, then Ono landed on Kufu's back.
"Sorry for changing your smell, Bunga," Ono apologized, "It clearly has it's perks."
"Hakuna Matata," Bunga shrugged, "I'm sure my minty smell will wear off," he saw the hyrax they saved on his back, "And the sooner the better."
The Lion Guard all shared a laugh.
A/N: And that's The Rise of Makuu! Sorry it took so long, this year has been rough for me, DemonGirl123, and FirePheonix11 but that ain't gonna put us down. Now, I feel like Tiffu and Zuri didn't get much screen time, so that's why I added them in the chapter. I made it where Kufu doesn't like Ushari for obvious reasons. I didn't add the scene with the song "Don't Make a Stink" because I find that scene ridiculous even though Timon and Pumbaa are my favorite characters, and also I feel bad that Ono and Beshte don't have love interests so I created love interests for them and we met Mzuri Beshte's love interest and let's put it to a vote, everyone, should Ono get a female love interest in Anga or should Ono get a male love interest? Vote through reviews or the poll on the profile. Also, how did our Collab account review on our story? Can somebody explain it to us? We're all confused.
Next up: Bunga will think he's the smartest animal in the Pride Lands
Here's the cast for the episode:
Max Charles as Kion, Caleel Harris as Kufu, Joshua Rush as Bunga, Diamond White as Fuli, Atticus Shaffer as Ono, Dusan Brown as Beshte, Blair Underwood as Makuu, Gerald C. Rivers as Pua, Skai Jackson as Mzuri, Rob Lowe as Simba, Gabrielle Union as Nala, Eden Riegel as Kiara, Madison Pettis as Zuri, Sarah Hyland as Tiffu, James Earl Jones as Mufasa, Kevin Michael Richardson as Basi, Mae Whitman as Kula, Vanessa Marshall as Tama, Rider Strong as Kopa, Isabela Moner as Dalia, Khary Payton as Rafiki, Evan Rachel Wood as Nyla, Christian Slater as Ushari, Dee Bradley Baker as the hyrax.
This chapter was written by marvelomac1010 and beta-read/edited by DemonGirl123.