It's Lion Guard vs. Lion Guard!
Sorry for the long wait, this was a long one in the making.
Enjoy!
Pride Lands:
The sun was beginning to rise over the Pride Lands, signaling a new morning. Simba was up and looking over the kingdom from the top of Pride Rock.
"Another day has risen father…" Simba said softly. "And it's the first day with Kion back home…"
As Simba looked out to the Pride Lands, Sora and his friends were at the watering hole having a drink.
"Another day without having to worry about a thing here." said Sora.
"You said it." said Lea. "Yet I'm still wondering why we're here. I mean there's no evil as far as I can see."
"Or at least any danger caused by evil." added Ven.
Kairi seemed to be silent for a moment.
"Kairi? Kairi are you ok?" Aqua asked.
"I… I just have this weird feeling… that the danger isn't over yet." Kairi said. "I don't know what it is, I just feel like there's something around the corner."
Donald snorted. "Please there's always something around the corner when it comes to saving the day." he said.
"Yeah! We just can't seem to catch a break!" said Max.
"Well we seem to be having a break right now." said Isa. "How long it will truly last, I don't know. There was that one attack yesterday before we met up with Kion and his team."
"But other than that both the Pride Lands and Outlands seem to be doing ok." said Riku. "Guess we'll still have to keep our guard up."
It was at that moment that Sora realized something. "You know now that I think about it, does anyone not notice that we haven't encountered any members of the Organization while we were here?"
It was at that moment the rest of the Guardians seemed to realize that fact as well.
"Now that you mention it, we have not seen a single member since we're here. You think we would encounter at least one by now." noted Ortensia.
"I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. Good because perhaps we stopped their plans when Zira was killed, and bad because for all we know they might be planning something else." deduced Xion.
"Xion's makes a good point. I would know because when I was Saïx, I was aware that Zira was one of the villains that the Organization recruited prior to me getting my heart back. At first, I assumed that with Zira gone this world would be saved, but seeing as there is still no keyhole, something tells me that the Organization is not done with the Pride Lands yet." remarked Isa.
"If that's the case, we're going to have to keep an eye out for any familiar enemies. If Xehanort is really not through with this world, then he must have something planned in the works." Sora stated.
The rest of the Guardians nodded their heads in agreement.
Kairi then remembered something else. "Oh! Right! I didn't bring this up earlier since we were all recovering from our fight against Zira… but when Kiara was standing up to Simba… I sensed something within her… something familiar…"
Everyone looked at the Princess of Heart-turned-lioness.
"What sort of something Kairi?" asked Terra.
"Hold on… do you mean… light?" asked Riku.
"Well I learned from Rafiki mentioned that Kiara does translate to 'light' in the Serengeti the other day." said Oswald. "But Kairi… are you saying… that the familiar light you sensed in Kiara makes her… a Princess of Heart?"
Kairi nodded. "I know it is… I sensed the same thing within Anna, Elsa, Rapunzel, and Kida."
"So adding Kiara into the mix with you and those four… that would mean…" Minnie said in realization. "Kiara… is the 6th member of the New Seven Hearts!"
The 20 animals were surprised.
"So we've met the 6th one already?!" exclaimed Xion.
"Wait, a Princess of Heart that's an animal? That's kind of unexpected, not gonna lie." Myde commented.
"Yeah I think this would be the first time there's an animal Princess of Heart." said Sora. "And it's Princess Kiara!"
"It doesn't matter what species she is." said Riku. "It's what's inside her heart that counts. Besides, Kida's Atlantean."
"But if what Kairi said is true, then there is a chance that the Organziation could also be aware of Kiara being a Princess of Heart as well. For all we know they could be plotting to capture her." stated Goofy.
"Do you think we should tell her and the royal family?" asked Lea.
"We can try when the time is right. It's still early." said Mickey.
"Besides, I could use a bite right now." said Sora. "Wonder how the lionesses did on their hunt."
Nala, Kiara, and several of the other lionesses came up with their catch. They brought it before Pride Rock.
Simba, Kion, Kovu, Sora, and Co. were there.
"Hey guys! What's for breakfast?" asked Ven.
"Antelope." Nala replied. "And Kiara did a good job catching them."
"Yep! I remembered what you and Kovu taught me and it was basically child's play." Kiara said proudly. "It helps since they're older."
"Well I'd say you did a good job." Aqua said proudly.
"Thanks Aqua." Kiara grinned. "Much better without any wildfires to pop out of nowhere."
Kovu winced. "Again, sor-"
"Zira manipulated you since cubhood. You had no control given her revenge-driven madness." Simba said.
"And you more than made up for it. You and your pride." added Kiara.
Kovu smiled as the lionesses set down their catches and everyone dug in.
"I'll be honest, I gotta say this meat is not like anything I've ever tasted," said Ven.
"Same here. I mean it's not grilled but still has a unique taste." said Roxas.
"Uh thanks." said Kiara, gulping down her bite. "But… What does 'grilled' mean?"
Ven and Roxas froze.
"Uh… fancy way of saying warm and almost burnt?" Ven said nervously.
"Oh ok! I can see that." said Kiara, satisfied.
The humans-turned-animals sighed in relief.
"That was a close one." muttered Ven.
"We gotta be more discreet about human stuff." murmured Naminé.
Kion swallowed his bite of meat.
"Man, I missed this stuff." Kion said. "The Tree of Life had good delicacies, don't get me wrong, but this is still good."
"Especially since you're with your family after all this time?" guessed Xion.
"Exactly." Kion nodded before letting out a loud belch, covering his muzzle with his paw. "Excuse me…" he said sheepishly.
"Kion, that's so gross!" Kiara playfully chided before letting out an equally loud burp herself. She covered her muzzle with her paw, blushing. "Excuse me…" she said sheepishly.
Both siblings then erupted into laughter, along with everyone else.
"I missed this," said Kion. "Having a meal with my family."
"We missed this too, Kion." smiled Nala.
"We missed you every day when you were gone, wondering if you all would come back." said Simba.
"And all that hope paid off." Kiara added.
"I'm glad." Kion smiled.
"So Kion, I gotta ask, what was the Tree of Life like?" Sora asked.
Kion smiled fondly. "Where to begin? It's like a sanctuary." he replied. "So many animals of many different species, some I've only ever heard about. So many landmarks too, desert, forest, tundra plain. It really is a home for everyone. The tree itself is pretty tall and roomy. And then there's the Night Pride, Queen Rani, her brother Baliyo, their uncle Surak, healer Nirmala, all good lions. Sure we had a rocky start but we saw eye to eye and they helped heal me and Ono. And we were great teammates against Makucha and his army. They treated us like one of the family in a way."
"Sure sounds like it." said Kovu.
"Friends with a Queen huh?" mused Terra.
"Yeah. Rani and I didn't see eye to eye like I said. But overtime, we did get to know each other. She's a hardcore leader like me. And she looks out over the whole land with a good heart and strong leadership. We worked well together as a team. Fighting Makucha and his army, looking out for all the animals, and she never gave up on me when Ushari's venom was still poisoning my mind." Kion sighed fondly. "It's almsot like we're of the same pride..." he said absently.
"Sounds like prince has gotten himself a crush." teased Lea.
"Yeah-Wait what?!" Kion exclaimed, blushing.
"From the way you speak of Rani, it seems like it." giggled Ortensia.
"She sounds like a spitfire." Naminé commented.
Kion smiled through his blush. "Yeah... she really is..."
"I know I sure like to see the Tree of Life." said Ven, eating another bite.
"Yeah… maybe someday…" Kion said fondly.
Soon breakfast was done as everyone mingled around.
Sora came up to Kion. "Feels nice being back home?" he asked.
"Yeah." Kion replied. "Honestly, I thought I would never see this place again. I mean, I did hold onto hope that the Tree of Life could heal me… but, I did still fear that I would turn evil. And this scar…" Kion ran his paw over his scar. "...would be a reminder. But I'm glad I'm cured."
Sora sighed. "I get it." He paused before moving part of his fur. "You're not the only one who has their scars…"
Kion was confused until Sora revealed the scar Thanos gave him, making Kion gasp.
"Sora… y-you have-?"
"Yeah I do." Sora said, pulling his paw away. "Me and a friend were up against a powerful enemy. And he gave each of us a scar like that. I'll admit, I was pretty scared on the inside even when putting up a brave face. I honestly thought I was gonna die. But I was saved and cured. Still, the pain haunts me sometimes. Even though that enemy is long dead, it still lingers like I'm sure it does with you. That friend, another friend, and Kairi are the only ones that know about this."
"Hevi Kabisa. I'm so sorry, Sora." said Kion, feeling nothing but sympathy for Sora.
"Don't be." Sora assured before frowning in guilt. "From the sound of it, I'm the one who should be apologizing. If I had kept a closer eye on this place, I would've known about your plan to invade the Outlands. I could've helped you."
Kion looked down, sadly. "Even if you had been here, you wouldn't have been able to stop Ushari from scaring me. For all we know, Scar would've had him bite you too. Who knows what would've happened then."
Sora shook his head. "Can't imagine what you've had to go through." He then looked up. "Literally. I have no concept of this kind of messed up family drama, my parents have no siblings at all, so I've never had an uncle." Sora explained with a chuckle, making Kion laugh too.
"After the last few years… I'm jealous." Kion admitted. At least Sora didn't have to deal with evil relatives.
At that moment, Fuli, Ono, Bunga, Beshte, Anga, and Azaad showed up to Pride Rock.
"Morning Lion Guard." greeted Terra.
"Hey everyone!" said Bunga.
"So how was breakfast?" asked Ono.
"Can't complain. It was pretty good." said Sora.
"What brings you around here this morning?" asked Oswald.
"Gonna get ready for patrol in a minute." Fuli replied, stretching her back and legs. "Gotta make sure the Pride Lands are safe, per Lion Guard code."
"Would've been here sooner, but Bunga was still making sure he perfected his diving technique at Hakuna Matata Falls." snorted Anga.
"What can I say? I live the life of Zuka Zama." Bunga said nonchalantly.
"Zuka Zama?" asked Kovu. "What's that?"
"Yes I've never heard such a term before." said Azaad
"What's Zuka Zama? What's Zuka Zama?!" Bunga exclaimed with a big grin. "Those of you who don't know it, I will tell you ALL ABOUT ZUKA ZAMA!"
"Oh boy, here we go." Fuli grunted.
"What, what's wrong?" asked Daisy.
"Just watch." Kion said with a knowing look.
(Zuka Zama from The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar plays)
Chorus: Zuka zama zom zom zom!
Zuka zama zom zom zom!
Bunga danced around spinning his arms in front of everyone.
Bunga: Life's exciting, life is fun!
(Zuka zama zom zom zom!)
A big adventure for everyone
(Zuka zama zom zom zom!)
Life's a party, and it's filled with thrills!
(Zuka zama zom zom zom!)
Don't worry about the scrapes and spills
(Zuka zama zom zom zom!)
Bunga performed some stunts as he sang.
Bunga:Pop up! Pop up! (Zuka! Zuka!)
Dive in! Dive in! (Zama! Zama!)
Go! Go! Go! (Zom! Zom! Zom!)
Flyin' through the trees like a busy, busy bee going
Chorus: Zuka zama zom zom zom!
Zuka zama zom zom zom!
Zuka zama zom zom zom!
Zuka zama zom zom zom!
Bunga: Now you know my little motto for life
(Zuka zama zom zom zom!)
Enjoy the chaos, ignore the strife
(Zuka zama zom zom zom!)
But life throws you a crazy curve
(Zuka zama zom zom zom!)
Go Zuka Zama! Don't lose your nerve!
(Zuka zama zom zom zom!)
Everyone was slowing getting into it as Bunga sang, nodding their heads to the beat.
Bunga:Pop up! Pop up! (Zuka! Zuka!)
Dive in! Dive in! (Zama! Zama!)
Go! Go! Go! (Zom! Zom! Zom!)
Flyin' through the trees like a busy, busy bee going
Chorus: Zuka zama zom zom zom!
Zuka zama zom zom zom!
Zuka zama zom zom zom!
Zuka zama zom zom zom!
Bunga tabbed some sticks on some rocks like they were drums.
Bunga: Pop up! Pop up! (Zuka! Zuka!)
Dive in! Dive in! (Zama! Zama!)
Go! Go! Go! (Zom! Zom! Zom!)
Like a bee, like a bee, like a busy, busy bee going
Getting into the rhythm, Kion, Sora, Kiara, Kairi, Ven, Xion, and Naminé marched behind Bunga Hakuna Matata style.
Chorus: Zuka zama zom zom zom!
Zuka zama zom zom zom!
Zuka zama zom zom zom!
Zuka zama zom zom zom!
Zuka zama zom zom zom! (Oh way oh)
Zuka zama zom zom zom!
Zuka zama zom zom zom! (Oh way oh)
Bunga:Zuka zama zom zom zom!
"Well now we know the motto Bunga lives by." chuckled Lea.
"Reckless yet catchy." said Max.
"Very impressive performance by Bunga." smiled Simba.
"Thanks bro." said Bunga, nudging Simba's leg.
"Did he just call King Simba his brother?" Azaad asked.
"Yeah they were both raised by Timon and Pumbaa since they were little." said Ono.
"So in a way they technically are brothers." said Fuli.
"Huh." was all Azaad could say.
Later on, Simba, Nala, Kiara, and Kovu made their way into Pride Rock while the rest of the Lion Guard, Azaad, Sora, and Co. went to the Lion Guard lair.
"So you think the Lair's changed much since we've been gone?" Beshte asked.
"Why would it?" questioned Fuli.
"Ooooh, I wonder if the grubs that I hid are still there." Bunga said giddily.
"I highly doubt that." said Isa.
Kion chuckled. "Come on, Lion Guard."
Sora then remembered something. "Uh Kion? There's a little something we forgot to mention since we were focused on you and your friends coming back." he told the lion.
"Oh? What's that?" Kion asked.
Before Sora could reply, they spotted Vitani and her Lion Guard already in the lair. Vitani was on the ledge while Kasi, Shabaha, Tazama, and Imara were standing on the ground.
"Vitani?" Kion asked in surprise.
"Kion, what are you doing here?" Vitani asked.
"What am I doing here? What are you doing here?" Kion asked back.
"I'm the future king's sister. It's my duty to lead the Lion Guard." Vitani replied.
Kion frowned. "Vitani, I'm the future queen's brother. We have the Mark of the Guard, and I have the Roar. We're the Lion Guard." he said.
"Yeah, that's right." said Bunga, putting his hands on his hips.
"We'll see about that." Shabaha retorted as she and her friends joined Vitani's side.
"Seriously?" frowned Fuli.
"Yes! Seriously!" snarled Kasi.
"Oh god." groaned Riku.
"I knew we should've told them before nightfall." sighed Naminé.
"Please god send us a distraction." said Lea, looking up.
At that moment, Laini ran into the lair. "Lion Guard! Lion Guard!" she cried.
"Thank you!" Lea said in relief.
"Ooh! Now send us pizza!" Myde said, looking up.
Isa face-pawed.
"Yes?" Kion asked.
"Yes?" Vitnai asked as well.
Laini was shocked to see two Lion Guards. "There's an emergency at Mbali Fields. We need your help." she said.
"Sure, Laini. No problem. We'll…" Kion and Vitani said in unison before they both growled at each other.
"Oh no, cut it out." Sora warned, getting between Kion and Vitani and standing on his back legs, using front paws to stop them. "I've already put up with one pointless civil war between lions. I do not need to go through another one, this time between two Lion Guards."
"None of us do." said Riku.
Azaad came up beside Sora and faced both leaders. "Perhaps you all should go?" he suggested.
"Yes, all of you. Come right now!" begged Laini.
"We'll all go, then we'll figure this out, okay?" Kion suggested.
"Okay." Vitani relented, facing the galago. "Laini, show us the way."
"Follow me!" said Laini as she ran out of the lair.
"Till the Pride Lands end…" Kion and Vitani began.
Both Lion Guards looked at each other for a bit.
"Lion Guard defend!" all but Azaad, Sora, and Co. said in unison as they followed the two lions out of the lair.
"Think we should go?" asked Xion.
"Probably, just in case any more creatures of darkness try their luck." said Lea.
"Good idea! Let's skedaddle fellers!" said Goofy.
Mbali Fields:
Everyone gathered around where Thurston was stuck in a hole.
"Right over here, see? It's an emergency." Laini said.
"There's an emergency? How dreadful." Thurston said from inside.
Everyone stared in disbelief.
"You're kidding us right?" Donald deadpanned.
"We're back in the Pride Lands, all right." Fuli smirked.
"Why do we always get stuck with the icky jobs?" Lea groaned.
Kion faced his team. "Okay, guys, you know what to do."
Bunga went over to help Thurston. "That's right! Lion Guard to the rescue!"
"Except we're the Lion Guard!" said Shabaha.
"Oh, no, you're not!" scowled Bunga, going back to her.
"Oh, yes, we are!"
"Are not!"
"Are, too!"
"Will you two stop being crab pots?" said Oswald, getting in between them. (1)
"Yes, you're on the job right now." said Isa.
Azaad walked up to Thurston. "Zebra, have you tried backing up?" he suggested.
"Hmm…" Thurston replied as he backed up and freed himself. "Oh. Why, thank you. I hadn't thought of that."
Everyone blinked as Bunga and Shabaha stopped arguing.
"Oh…" murmured Shabaha.
"He's out?" Bunga asked.
"No thanks to us." Kion sighed. He looked at Vitani. "We can't help anyone if we keep arguing."
"You're right." nodded Vitani. "So why don't you and your friends leave things to us?"
"We're not gonna do that. Our team is the Pride Lands' best!" Bunga retorted.
"Our team is the best!" Shabaha said back.
"This is getting ridiculous." sighed Terra.
"Will you all knock it off!?" snapped Riku. Both Lion Guards looked at him. "For crying out loud this is getting you nowhere if you keep butting heads like this."
"Excuse me, if you really want to see who's best, you should do it the zebra way." suggested Thurston.
"And what's that?" Anga asked.
"By panicking and running?" Donald snickered, but faltered as Daisy and Minnie shot him glares.
"You have a competition." Thruston replied. "We zebras find the best zebra by seeing who can panic and run the best."
"So you were half-right." Ven said to Donald.
"As weird as it sounds, he might be right." commented Fuli.
"Yeah, we can do the big test of the original Lion Guard setup in the lair." suggested Bunga.
"Bunga, that wouldn't be fair. Our Lion Guard already took that test." said Ono. "But both guards could compete in a series of new challenges to see which team is the best."
Kion and Vitani looked at each other.
"Seems fair. The Pride Lands does deserve the best." said Vitani.
"Yup." said Anga.
"She's right." nodded Beshte.
"Sure." said Tazama.
"Okay!" said Imara.
"I'm in." said Kasi.
"Right!" grunted Shabaha.
"Okay... Let's do it." said Kion.
"Hoo-hoo-ha! Lion Guard versus Lion Guard!" cheered Bunga.
"This is gonna be something." said Sora.
"As long as they aren't arguing, I think this may work out." said Mickey.
"Huzzah! I'll spread the word: the Battle of the Lion Guards!" said Thruston as he ran off.
"This is gonna be quite the show." said Donald.
"I'd prefer friendly competition over a civil war here any day." said Daisy.
Max snorted. "I think you and pretty much everyone else here Daisy."
At Mizimu Grove, everyone gathered for the Battle of the Lion Guards.
Rafiki stood on a rock to address them.
Each member of the teams stood against the ones in their positions.
"Pride Landers! Welcome to the battle of the Lion Guards. Kion's guard will compete with Vitani's to see which team is the best " announced Rafiki. "There will be one test for each traditional Lion Guard role, the fiercest, bravest, fastest, strongest, and keenest of sight. And as the Pride Lands' smartest...
Ono flew up. "I'll be the judge. Whichever guard loses their challenge will get to set the rules for the next one. Vitani, as leader of the challenging team, your guard will have first choice."
"Okay, strongest first." said Vitani. "Imara?"
"To prove who is strongest, Beshte and I will have to push a rock across Chakula Plains." said Imara.
"OK, a simple challenge." nodded Terra.
Bunga scoffed. "Beshte could do that in his sleep."
Imara smirked. "A rock with an elephant on it!"
Beshte was taken aback. "Huh?"
"Oh my." gasped Minnie.
"Ok now that's a challenge!" said Sora.
"Guess we'll see who's stronger." said Daisy.
Later, Ma Tembo and Zito climbed on top of two rocks.
"I'm not sure how I let you talk me into this, Ma Tembo." Zito grunted.
"Oh, Zito, hush." Ma Tembo chided. "The contest is about to begin."
"Indeed. Imara, Beshte, first one to push that rock to that tree wins." said Ono.
"Good luck you two!" called Kairi.
"And good luck!" said Minnie. "Oh, but don't strain yourselves!"
"Thanks Minnie!" said Beshte.
"We got this!" said Imara.
"On your marks, get set, push!" Ono signaled.
Imara and Beshte ran to their rocks and began to push with all their might.
"Musuli!" shouted Imara.
"Twende Kiboko!" shouted Beshe.
Both grunted as they pushed as hard as they could. Beshte was taking the lead.
"Hey Beshte's in the lead!" cheered Goofy.
"Come on Beshte you can do it!" called Sora.
"You'll need to do better than that if you want to best Beshte." Zito said to Imara.
"Go, Beshte! You can do it!" cheered Mtoto.
"The winner of this challenge seems clear to me." said Isa, his arms crossed.
"Yeah. Beshte is obviously stronger than Imara. Natural since he's a hippo." Riku agreed. "No way can she catch up."
At that moment, Beshte began to feel hot and bothered from the sun. Ma Tembo noticed this. "Beshte, are you all right?" she asked in concern.
"I'm okay." grunted Beshte. "Just a little hot."
Ma Tembo then noticed that Beshte's skin was now red. "Beshte, you're getting sunburned!" she said in alarm. "You need to protect your skin."
Beshte stopped and saw his sun burned skin. "Oh, you're right. Be right back." he said, quickly running off to a mudhole to cover himself in it to protect his skin.
Imara grunted as she pushed her rock harder across the grass.
Beshte game out of the mudhole, sighing in relief until he saw Imara taking the lead. "Uh-oh…"
"Ha-ha! We're winning!" cheered Zito.
Beshte ran back to his rock and pushed with all his might. "Twende Kiboko!" he yelled.
But it was too late. Imara crossed the finish line first. "Yes!" she cheered, laughing triumphantly.
Vitani and her Lion Guard came up to congratulate her.
"All right, Imara!" cheered Kasi.
Ono flew down. "Vitani's guard wins the first event." he announced.
"Huh. I stand corrected." said Riku, surprised.
"Gawrsh, what just happened? I thought for sure Beshte was gonna win." Goofy wondered.
"He would've if it weren't for Mr. Sun." Lea answered, looking up.
"Guess being an animal different from a lion can have its disadvantages since hippos need to keep their skin moist to protect themselves from sunburn." Mickey explained.
Beshte approached his teammates. "Sorry, everybody." he apologized. "I started to get sunburned, and…"
"Don't worry, Beshte. We're just glad you're okay." assured Kion.
"Yeah. Besides, fastest is next, and I get to pick the challenge." Fuli smirked.
"Yes. No matter how fast they may be, they cannot defeat the fire of a cheetah." Azaad added.
Beshte then saw Imara finish talking to her teammates and walked over. "Hey Imara? Nice job back there. You got a ton of strength in your heart. And I'm impressed." He said.
Imara was taken aback. "Oh… wow… uh thanks Beshte." she said with a smile. "You're pretty good too. Hippos are the strongest animals here."
"Now that's good sportsmanship." said Oswald.
"Beshte does have a heart bigger than Pride Rock." Mtoto said.
Later everyone was at a canyon, Fuli and Kasi getting ready to run.
"Fuli has chosen the challenge for the fastest." announced Ono. "She and Kasi will race through the canyon, loop around, and return here to finish."
"Go Fuli!" cheered Sora.
"You got this girlfriend!" cheered Daisy.
"Show her what cheetahs can do!" cheered Naminé.
"On your marks, get set, run!" shouted Ono.
Fuli and Kasi ran off.
"Huwezi!" said Fuli.
"Haraka, haraka!" said Kasi.
"Go Fuli!" shouted Azaad.
"You can do this!" called Donald.
"Run like the wind, Fuli!" called Ortensia.
Kasi was in the lead but Fuli was catching up behind her. They rounded a sharp corner, jumped off a slanted rock, and then leapt from rock to rock.
Kasi was beginning to pant as she neared the finish line. But Fuli was catching up, a smirk on her face.
"You had your chance." laughed Fuli. "Now, I've got you. Huwezi!"
Fuli took the lead.
"Here they come…" announced Ono.
Everyone gasped in anticipation.
Fuli then crossed the finish line, Kasi crossing right behind her.
"And Fuli wins!" cheered Ono, flying in a circle.
Everyone cheered.
"All right!" cheered Anga.
"You did it!" cheered Kairi.
"Congratulations." Aqua said with a smile.
"Great job, Fuli." Kion congratulated.
"There was never a doubt." smiled Azaad.
A defeated Kasi approached her teammates as Ono flew down to them.
"Keenest of sight is next. And with Fuli's win, it's Tazama's choice." announced Ono.
As everyone left for the next event, Kasi came up to Fuli.
"Congratulations Fuli." she said with a small smile.
"Thanks. I will admit, you were pretty fast yourself." Fuli smiled.
"Well, glad I got to race you." Kasi smirked.
As both Lion Guards as well as the rest of those present leave the area for the next event, unbeknownst to any of them, they were being watched by Ansem and Xemnas who had been observing the Battle of the Lion Guards from a distance since the first event of the competition.
"Hmph. Seems that both Prince Kion, as well as Vitani's Lion Guard, are more equally matched than I originally thought." Ansem mused.
"Yes. It's surprising that even though Vitani does not have the Roar of the Elders, she and her pack are putting up a valiant effort against the young prince and his group." noted Xemnas.
"That being said, I'm not sure what's going to anger Zira more, the fact that her former son will soon be the Pride Lands' new king but not in the way she was hoping it, or her former daughter who could end up being the ones that will defend the Pride Lands alongside her pack as the new Lion Guard." said Ansem.
At that moment, a corridor of darkness appeared behind Xehanort's Heartless and Nobody, and the two of them noticed Young Xehanort stepped out.
"Any updates on our adversaries?" Young Xehanort asked his fellow selves.
Xemnas shocked his head. "No. Aside from a measly competition between the packs of Prince Kion and Vitani to see who will be the Pride Lands Lion Guard, they remain unaware of our plans."
"I assumed the smaller attacks on the Tree of Life are proceeding as planned?" Ansem asked.
Young Xehanort gave a dark smirk. "Yes, the attacks are proceeding according to plan. Although Queen Rani and the Night Pride are putting up a valiant effort against the Heartless, Nobodies, and Unversed, they are starting to get weakened from the constant attacks. In addition, our efforts have caused the Tree of Life to take considerable damage as well."
"Excellent! Once we have dealt enough damage to the Tree of Life and Queen Rani and her forces are weakened, that will be more than enough to not only commence our final attack but to also lure Sora and the rest of the Pride Lands animals over to the Tree of Life, where Scar and his army will be waiting for them." remarked Xemnas.
"Although one question still remains, when should we tell our adversaries about our final strike on this world?" Young Xehanort asked.
"After the competition. Once the winner between Kion and Vitani's Lion Guards has been decided and they all think this small debacle has been resolved, we will make our appearance and inform them about the grim news." answered Ansem.
"It will be interesting to see everyone's reactions to where we are attacking, especially Prince Kion himself given that he and his Guard were just there not too long ago, not to mention the feelings he has now developed towards The Tree of Life's new queen." said Xemnas with a smirk on his face.
"Indeed." Young Xehanort said before opening up another corridor of darkness. "I ordered our dark forces to stop attacking the Tree of Life after a certain period of time so I will no longer need to be there to observe from the shadows. For now, let's continue to watch this 'competition' and await the outcome."
Ansem and Xemnas both nodded as the two followed Xehanort's younger self into the dark corridor as the three continued to follow their adversaries.
Later everyone was at a cave. Tazama and Anga were at their starting mark.
"So remind me what this challenge is?" asked Myde.
"They gotta find a galago in the dark." said Max. "A real challenge for their eyesight."
"Now that's as big a challenge as pushing a rock with an elephant on it!" Sora mused.
"On your marks, get set... Seek!" said Ono.
Anga and Tazama took off.
"Anga lenga!" shouted Anga.
"Tazama will find where that galago's hiding in no time. She can see in total darkness." Vitani said.
"I will admit, that is still pretty cool." said Max.
"Wish I had night vision." grunted Ven. "Then I wouldn't have stubbed my toe on that rock when I went outside to see what was causing a ruckus in the middle of the night last week."
Everyone all around Ven winced at the thought.
Bunga looked at Vitani's Lion Guard. "Oh, yeah? Well, Anga can see in total not... dark... ness." he said before faltering at the end, much to Fuli's annoyance.
Inside the cave, Anga was trying to find the galago but it was too dark. She sighed. "Ugh! Which way?"
As for Tazama, she looked around closely for the galago. Her eyes shined blue when she peeked into a spot in the cave. "Hiyo kali!" she cheered, going in.
Back outside, Kion tried to look for the Keenest of Sight members of both teams.
"Anyone see them?" he asked.
"Nope. Too bad Anga's not here. She could see if she was coming." replied Bunga.
"I don't think she has night vision Bunga." said Riku.
At that moment, Tazama came out with Laini on her back.
"Hooray!" Laini cheered." Tazama found me! She wins!"
"Now we're back in the lead." Tazama said, making her team smile.
Anga flew back out of the cave. "Too dark. Sorry, everyone." she apologized.
"It's okay, Anga." said Kion.
"Yeah. 'Cause now, it's time for the bravest." Bunga grinned.
As everyone left, Anga flew up to Tazama. "Well done Tazama. You did a good job in there. Night vision and all."
Tazama was taken aback but grinned. "Thanks. And I'll admit, you got good eyesight yourself from a higher distance. Maybe you'll get used to the dark." she said.
"Hm. Maybe." Anga replied.
Later, Bunga and Shabaha were ready to do their challenge, standing in front of thornbushes.
"Now, for the must un-Bunga-lievable test of all." Bunga grinned.
"So what exactly are you two gonna do?" asked Roxas.
"First, we run through Maumivu Thorn Patch. Then, we cross Urembo River. And then, we go up Makundu Cliffs. First one to grab the Baobab fruit at the top of the tree wins." Bunga replied before looking at Shabaha. "Scared?
Shabaha scoffed. "Never. Looks like fun." she replied.
"Okay, then." Bunga grinned.
"Sounds more crazy than brave." said Xion.
"Well you do crazy things sometimes when you are being brave." said Naminé.
"Ono, call it!" called Bunga.
"On your marks, get set, go!" shouted Ono.
Everyone cheered as Bunga and Shabaha ran through the thorn bush.
"Bila Hofu!" cackled Shabaha.
"Go, Bunga, go!" cheered Timon.
"You can do it!" called Pumbaa.
"That's my adoptive grandson!" cheered Ma.
"Come on kid take to her!" said Uncle Max.
Bunga went through the bushes while Shabaha had a little hard time jumping on them. She then skidded to a stop at Urembo River as the crocodiles growled at her.
Bunga laughed as he jumped across and over the crocodiles. "Gotta be braver than that, Shabaha. Zuka Zama!" Bunga called.
He made it across and began to climb up the mountain.
But Shabaha managed to jump over all the crocs and the entire lake at the same time. "Bila Hofu!" she shouted before cackling as she climbed after Bunga.
"Mmm, she is brave." Bunga commented.
Bunga climbed up the tree and grabbed the fruit, but the branch broke and he fell with a yell and landed on the grass near Shabaha. The fruit bounded off of Bunga, making Shabaha wince at the sight.
Bunga dizzily got up, holding the fruit. "I still win…" he mumbled before fainting again.
They arrived back at the audience, Shabaha carrying Bunga on her back.
"Whoa what happened?" asked Kairi.
"Bunga took a fall after getting the baobab fruit." Shabaha replied.
"I'm ok!" Bunga said with a thumbs up.
"So that means Bunga won the challenge!" said Beshte.
"You bet I did!" said Bunga, hopping down from Shabaha.
"So that means… it's a tie." said Ono.
"Whoo! A tie!" cheered Bunga.
"Uh, that means the score is evenly matched Bunga." said Mickey.
Bunga froze. "Aw nuts!" he exclaimed, throwing his hands into the air… and tossing the baobab fruit in the process.
The fruit hit Sora in the face. "Agh!" he exclaimed.
"Sora are you ok?" Mickey asked in concern.
"Oh I'm alright, Wonka…" Sora mumbled.
Mickey blinked. "Ok then…" he murmured.
"So that means it's Kion and Vitani's turn to fight," said Terra.
"Fiercest vs. Fiercest." said Oswald.
As everyone left, Shabaha came up to Bunga. "Hey, you did a good job back there." she said. "It was pretty brave jumping on all those crocodiles."
"Ah it's no big deal." said Bunga with a grin. "But hey, you did a good job yourself jumping the whole lake! That's gotta take a lot of guts!"
Shabaha cackled. "You can say that again honey badger." she said.
Later everyone was outside of Pride Rock.
"After four tests, it's a tie. It all comes down to the fiercest, and Vitani, it's your choice." said Ono.
Vitani smirked. "I call for a Mashindano!"
Everyone was surprised.
"Uh, what's a Mashindano?" Myde asked.
"Basically an animal fight." replied Fuli.
"Oh, yeah! Kion will win that one for sure. Mashindano!" Bunga grinned.
Everyone began to chant, "Mashindano!"
Vitani smirked but Kion wasn't so sure about this. He faced his fellow lion.
"Vitani, you don't stand a chance. You haven't seen everything the Roar can do." he said.
Vitani frowned. "I don't need the Roar, Kion. I'm fierce enough to lead the Lion Guard without it." she said firmly.
Kion was taken aback.
"Even without the Roar?" he murmured in surprise.
At that moment, the words of Askari, leader of the first Lion Guard, came to Kion's head.
"Only one who is willing to let go of the Roar completely…"
"...can truly master it." Kion said to himself. He smiled. "You're right, Vitani." He faced the crowd. "Everyone."
Everyone stopped chanting.
"What's up Kion?" Sora asked.
"By choosing to face me even without the roar, Vitani has proven to be the Pride Lands' fiercest. Vitani and her team have won. They are the Pride Lands' new Lion Guard." Kion announced.
Everyone was surprised by the revelation.
"I did not see that coming…" said Lea.
"He's giving up the position?!" exclaimed Donald.
Imara, Kasi, Shabaha, and Tazama were excited that they won.
Kion gave Vitani the Mark of the Guard on her left shoulder. It was crimson red.
"Vitani, as leader of the Lion Guard, you'll need the mark of the Guard and the Roar." Kion said with a smile.
"The Roar?" Vitani asked.
Kion smiled.
Vitani turned her head away… and used the Roar of the Elders for the first time. The clouds turned into roaring lions as she did.
The Guardians of Light that has never seen the Roar before were astonished.
"Oh my goodness!" exclaimed Minnie.
"Quackers look at that!" cried Daisy.
"In all my years I have never seen a lion's roar like that before!" Aqua said.
"That is seriously powerful stuff!" said Myde.
"I'm impressed." Terra mused once he was was over the shock.
Everyone cheered loudly.
"Way to go Vitani!" cheered Sora.
"You earned this!" said Kairi.
"Well done!" said Mickey.
At that moment, Bunga, Ono, Fuli, Beshte, and Anga's marks of the Lion Guard disappeared.
"Oh." sighed Bunga.
"Ah." sighed Beshte.
"Oh." sighed Ono.
"Ah." sighed Fuli.
"Sorry you guys lost your positions." said Ven.
"Yeah, you did just come back yesterday." said Xion.
"Well… I guess if anyone was gonna succeed us, it might as well be fellow members that are fierce, brave, fast, strong, and keenest of sight." Fuli said with a smile.
Suddenly, thunder rumbled overhead.
Everyone looked up and in a flash, appeared the spirit of Askari, leader of the first Lion Guard.
Askari had a golden-brown fur pelt, a white muzzle, and a dark orange nose, a large red mane, with darker red edges and golden stripe markings, a long chin and defined cheekbones, with small yellow eyes with red markings around them.
"Kion." Askari said with a smile.
Everyone barring Kion, Simba, Nala, Kiara, Kovu, Sora, and Kiara were surprised.
"Askari." Kion smiled.
"Yes, Kion. You have done well." Askari said proudly.
"Whoa…" gasped Riku.
"Gawrsh, look at that!" exclaimed Goofy.
"L-L-Lion in the sky!" gasped Uncle Max.
"Easy Max." said Ma, trying to stop the oldest meerkat from fainting.
"Uh… who's the sky lion?" Myde asked.
"Askari? He was the leader of the first Lion Guard." Ono said in surprise.
"Anga, you seein' this, too?" Bunga asked in shock.
"Shhhh." Anga shushed.
"By letting the Roar go, you have truly mastered it." Askari said proudly.
"Yes, Askari." Kion said before frowning. "But I'm not leader of the Lion Guard anymore. Why would I need the Roar?"
"There is another place that could use the Roar's help." Askari said with a knowing look.
"The Tree of Life." Kion realized.
At that moment, the Tree of Life mark appears on Kion's other shoulder.
Kion turned to his friends. "Everyone, wanna join me helping Queen Rani and the Night Pride?" he asked.
The Tree of Life mark appeared on Bunga, Anga, Ono, Fuli, and Beshte's shoulders too.
"Yes!" grinned Bunga.
"Affirmative." smiled ono.
"Poa!" grinned Beshte.
"Yeah!" smirked Fuli.
"Yup." replied Bunga.
"Tree of Life, here we come." grinned Bunga.
"Easy Bunga." chuckled Mickey. "I think you all deserve a good rest after today."
"Yeah you can head down there tomorrow maybe." suggested Naminé.
Vitani came up to Kion. "But Kion, what does it mean to have mastered the Roar?" she asked.
Kion smirked. "Watch."
Kion placed his paws on the ground and got ready to roar.
He unleashed the Roar of the Elders… lifting up Pride Rock in the process!
Everyone was in shock as Kion used the roar.
"WHOA!" gasped Sora.
"Look at that!" exclaimed Timon.
"Did you see that?!" exclaimed Ven.
"He's lifting up Pride Rock!" shouted Xion.
"I knew the roar was powerful but… I'm astonished…" Isa said in amazement.
"I think we're all astonished Isa." said Mickey.
Kion had the roar set Pride Rock carefully back on the ground.
Vitani came up to him, amazed.
"Hevi kabisa!" she said.
Kion smiled.
"Alright everyone, let's get some rest after such a competitive day." suggested Kiara.
"Good idea Kiara." said Simba.
All the animals dispersed.
"Kion? How come you wanna head back to the Tree of Life?" Nala asked her son.
"Yes we did not expect that to be your solution if Vitani won." Simba added.
Kion chuckled. "I'll explain later." he replied.
"I did not expect Askari to show up out of the blue. Literally." commented Riku. "I saw those paintings in the lair."
"Not the first time someone from the Pride Lands' past appeared in the sky to the Royal Family." said Sora. "Mufasa's appeared too."
"Have you spoken to him?" asked Aqua.
"About twice." Sora replied.
"I've spoken to him once. Last night." said Kairi.
"They say the Royal Family and Royal Mjuzis like Rafiki and Makini can see them." said Kiara.
"Then how come Sora and Kairi can?" asked Bunga asked.
"It's… complicated for one more than the other." Sora replied with a sheepish smile.
"Eh, complications confuse me." said Bunga, waving it off.
But unknown to them, Ansem, Xemnas, and Young Xehanort had been watching the final event from afar on top of some large boulders.
"Well, well, I wasn't expecting Zira's former daughter to now gain the power of Roar." mused Young Xehanort.
"Neither did I, with Vitani now gaining this ancient power, alongside Prince Kion now mastering it, it could prove a major complication on our coming attack on the Tree of Life." noted Xemnas.
"Do you think now is a good time to tell our adversaries what's going to be coming?" asked Ansem.
Young Xehanort shook his head as he turned facing Ansem. "No. Although it was your idea to inform our enemies of the attack after their competition ends, with this sudden development for both Prince Kion and Vitani, we are going to need to take precautions for our plan to succeed."
As soon as the younger Xehanort finished his sentence, he opened up a corridor of darkness.
"We must tell my future self what has transpired here, that way we are prepared to counter the power that both Kion and Vitani now wield. As for informing our enemies, we will let them rest and then tomorrow morning we will orchestrate a minor assault on Pride Rock. Once we get everyone's attention, then we will make our presence known." stated Young Xehanort. "And hopefully we can gain Princess Kiara as well for the lights we need."
Ansem and Xemnas both nodded and thus the three Xehanort vessels walked through the dark corridor to inform their leader of what had just transpired at Pride Rock.
Tree of Life:
A lioness stood outside the healing tree itself surveying the land. It was Rani, Queen of the Tree of Life.
She was a sleek young lioness, with reddish brown fur and a dark brown stripe running down her back. On her back were markings that looked like a horseshoe. The top of her ears were lined with a similar brown, and her pink inner ears have dark brown fur underneath. She had a dark pink nose and her eyes were chocolate brown, with bright brown eye rims below her eyes. The brownish-cream color of her lower eye rims was also present on her muzzle, her underbelly and her paws. She also had on blue paint on her forehead to symbolize her leadership. The back of her four legs had many little, dark brown spots. The tip of her tail was dark brown. She had a bright, pink colored scar on the inside of her right front leg. On her shoulder she bore the Mark of the Night Pride.
"Seeing how your kingdom's doing Rani?"
Rani looked over to see Makini standing beside her.
Makini was a young, dainty mandrill with grey fur covering her body and a pale grey underbelly. Towards her hands and feet were bands of dark-brown fur, which were longer near her hands. This same brown fur also collared her neck. Atop her head was a slightly lighter yet still dark-brown fur. Her hands, feet, and muzzle were pink. Her face was grey which rimmed around the eyes, with blue stripes settling just underneath. On her nose and reaching towards her forehead was a large magenta "stripe", which ended just before her eyebrows. Her eyes were olive green and her teeth, whilst petite, were sharp.
"Yeah everything seems to be going good as normal." Rani replied. "None of those weird creatures are back, so that is a very good sign. The Night Pride deserves a very good rest."
"Well that's great!" said Makini. She paused and looked at Rani closer. "It's more than that, isn't it?"
"Huh? Whaddya mean?" Rani asked.
Makini giggled. "You miss Kion! I can see it in your eyes." she replied.
Rani blushed. "Yeah. I do…" she said. "Kion was a good help around here. To the Night Pride, to all of the Tree of Life, and to me. I know he and his guard are needed in the Pride Lands, but still."
"Aw I'm sure he'll come back someday." smiled Makini.
"Hopefully." said Rani. "Come on, let's go by the lake. I could use a drink in this heat."
"Ooh good call!" Makini smiled.
And they both left, unaware that the Night Pride was gonna be in for a nasty surprise in the near future.
To be continued…
Special dialogue thanks to Super Sayian 3 Odd
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(1) Thomas and Friends - Buffer Bother