Chapter 15: Real Strength

It was a typical peaceful day in the Pride Lands, particularly Midzimu Grove as Kondo, the self-proclaimed "Strongest" lion of the Lion Guard, strutted confidently through the savanna. His massive frame towered over many of the other animals, his broad shoulders rippling with each step. His dark brown mane, streaked with five striking red claw-like marks, swayed slightly in the breeze as he moved, his small greenish-blue eyes scanning the horizon for his next chance to showcase his might.

Trailing behind him, his two much younger sisters, Kuki and Biskuti, bounced along with pom-poms they had crafted out of colorful grasses. The pair were practically bouncing with excitement, their high-pitched cheers echoing across the plains.

"Go, Kondo! You're the strongest!" Kuki squealed, shaking her pom-poms with vigor.

"Yeah! No one can beat our big brother!" added Biskuti, her voice brimming with pride.

Kondo grinned broadly, his wide square snout giving him an almost comical appearance as he puffed out his chest. "That's right, my little pom-poms! Kudumu Vunja!" he declared, his signature phrase booming like a roar across the plains.

The nearby animals turned their heads, some chuckling at his bravado while others rolled their eyes. Nonetheless, many gathered to watch as Kondo challenged a burly wildebeest to a wrestling match.

The match was over in seconds as Kondo slammed the wildebeest's down with such force that the ground seemed to quake. Cheers erupted from his sisters, and a crowd of animals began to chant his name.

"Step right up!" Kondo bellowed, flexing his massive forelegs. "Anyone else brave enough to test their strength against the strongest lion in the Pride Lands?"

A hefty rhinoceros snorted and stomped forward, accepting the challenge. The two locked horns—literally and figuratively—as Kondo dug his claws into the ground and pushed with all his might using his syrength boost frpm his mark. The match lasted longer than the wildebeest's, but Kondo's strength ultimately won out, sending the rhino stumbling back with a huff.

"Another victory for Kondo!" Kuki cried, jumping up and down.

Biskuti followed, shaking her pom-poms. "You're the best, big brother!"

Despite his apparent dim-witted nature, Kondo's hearty laughter and kind spirit made him beloved by the Pride Lands' residents. However, his penchant for showing off and drawing attention to himself wasn't without its dangers.

Unbeknownst to Kondo, a shadowy figure lurked in the distance, hidden among the tall grasses. A cold, calculating eye watched his every move. This lion's displays of strength and his boisterous personality had clearly annoyed the wrong individual—someone who saw Kondo's pride as a threat.

As the crowd began to disperse, Kondo's sisters clambered onto his back, giggling as he carried them toward a watering hole. "What's next, big bro?" Kuki asked, her eyes wide with admiration.

"Maybe you can pull a whole tree out of the ground!" Biskuti suggested.

Kondo chuckled, his deep voice rumbling like thunder. "Kudumu Vunja, my little pom-poms! There's nothing the strongest lion can't do!"

But as they continued on their way, the shadowy figure trailed behind, a sinister plan forming in their mind. Kondo's strength and pride might have made him a hero to his sisters and the Pride Lands, but it had also made him a target. The lion guard's strongest was about to face a challenge unlike any he had encountered before.

The day had been perfect for Kondo. The sun was shining, his sisters' cheers echoed in his ears, and his reputation as the strongest in the Pride Lands seemed as solid as ever. He had just finished another match, his bellowing laugh and triumphant shout of "Kudumu Vunja!" filling the savanna.

But then, the atmosphere shifted. From the tall grass emerged a colossal figure, his shadow long and foreboding. It was Ngurumo. The massive African buffalo stepped into the clearing, his jet-black coat gleaming ominously under the sunlight. One of his horns was broken, the other sharp and menacing, and his scarred, burnt face twisted into a sneer as his good eye locked onto Kondo.

"I hear you're the strongest," Ngurumo rumbled, his voice deep and gravelly. "Let's see if that's true, little lion."

Kondo stepped forward, his towering frame uncharacteristically dwarfed by Ngurumo's hulking size. He puffed out his chest and let out a hearty laugh. "You think you can take me on, old timer? Kudumu Vunja!"

The buffalo snorted, pawing at the ground. "Let's make it interesting. A wrestling match. Right here, right now."

With a few swift stomps, Ngurumo scraped a large circle into the dirt, signaling the wrestling ring. A crowd of animals quickly gathered, murmurs of excitement and trepidation spreading like wildfire.

Kuki and Biskuti were already shaking their pom-poms. "You've got this, big brother!" Kuki cheered.

"Show him who's boss, Kondo!" Biskuti added, her eyes sparkling with confidence.

Kondo smirked, stepping into the circle. "You're about to learn why they call me the strongest," he said, lowering himself into a ready stance.

Ngurumo simply chuckled darkly. "We'll see."

The match began with a deafening roar from the crowd. Kondo charged first, his powerful paws digging into the ground as he pushed against Ngurumo's chest. The buffalo barely budged. He stood like a mountain, unmoving, and then with a swift motion, he shoved Kondo back.

The lion dug in, using every ounce of his strength to grapple with the behemoth. His muscles strained, his claws dug deep, but Ngurumo didn't flinch. It was as if the buffalo felt no pain.

"Come on, Kondo!" Kuki screamed, her voice tinged with worry.

"You're stronger than him!" Biskuti yelled, her pom-poms shaking frantically.

But Kondo wasn't. No matter how much he pushed, pulled, or twisted, Ngurumo countered every move effortlessly. Then, with a devastating toss of his head, the buffalo flung Kondo out of the circle.

The crowd gasped in unison.

Kondo landed hard, tumbling across the dirt before coming to a stop. He groaned, his chest heaving, as he looked up at Ngurumo, who stood victorious in the center of the ring.

"You're not so tough after all," Ngurumo sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "Tell your little sisters to find a real hero to cheer for."

Kuki and Biskuti ran to their brother, tears streaming down their faces. "Big brother!" Kuki cried, burying her face in his mane.

"You're still the strongest to us!" Biskuti sobbed, clinging to his paw.

Kondo sat up, his heart heavy. He looked at his sisters, their faith in him unwavering, but the shame of his defeat burned hotter than the sun above. Without a word, he rose to his paws and bolted, leaving the crowd, his sisters, and his pride behind.

Kuki and Biskuti called after him, their voices breaking with sorrow. "Kondo! Come back!"

But their cries fell on deaf ears. Kondo ran, his massive frame shaking with each stride. The strongest lion of the Pride Lands had been defeated, and for the first time in his life, he felt weak.

Kondo trudged through the Pride Lands under the pale glow of the moon. The once-vibrant landscape felt lifeless as he wandered aimlessly, his heart weighed down by shame. His usual confident gait was replaced by heavy, sluggish steps, and his proud mane seemed to droop with his spirits. The events of the day replayed over and over in his mind—Ngurumo's sneer, his sisters' cries, the jeering whispers of the crowd.

He stopped at a quiet watering hole, staring down at his reflection in the still water. His wide, square jaw was clenched, and his small greenish-blue eyes brimmed with unshed tears. For the first time in years, Kondo felt utterly powerless.

As he gazed into the water, his thoughts drifted back to his cubhood, back when life was simpler, when he still believed strength could conquer anything. He remembered his father—a mighty lion with a mane as dark as the night, his roar like thunder, a lion every cub wanted to grow up to be. Kondo idolized him, following him everywhere, trying to mimic his every move.

Then came the day his sisters were born. Kuki and Biskuti, tiny and fragile, nestled together under their mother's warm, watchful gaze. Kondo had stared down at them, his chest swelling with pride and a sense of duty he'd never felt before.

"I'll protect you," he had whispered to the tiny cubs, his voice trembling with conviction. "No matter what."

But that promise was tested far sooner than he could have imagined. He remembered the wildfire vividly—the heat, the choking smoke, the crackling of flames as they devoured the land. His parents had perished trying to save him and his sisters. That night, as they huddled together under the stars, Kondo made another promise to himself: he would be strong enough for all of them. He would take his father's place as their protector, their provider, their hero.

And he had done just that. For years, he pushed himself harder and harder, building his body, his skills, his reputation. Every wrestling match he won, every heavy boulder he moved, every lion he bested—it was all for them. To show Kuki and Biskuti that they were safe, that they had a brother who could face anything.

But now? Now, he had failed.

"How can I face them?" Kondo murmured to his reflection. His voice cracked, and the tears finally spilled over. "I promised... I promised I'd always protect them. I was supposed to be the strongest. What kind of brother am I if I can't even keep that promise?"

The night grew colder, the wind rustling the tall grasses around him. Kondo sank to his haunches, his massive frame trembling as the weight of his failure pressed down on him. For the first time in a long time, he felt small. He felt like the frightened cub he had been the night of the wildfire, holding his sisters close as their world burned around them.

The stars above seemed distant, indifferent to his pain. But somewhere deep in his heart, a small ember of resolve flickered. He remembered his sisters' voices, their unwavering faith in him even after his defeat.

"You're still the strongest to us!"

Kondo clenched his jaw, his claws digging into the earth. He couldn't let them down again. He had to find a way to rise above this. Not for his pride, not for his reputation—but for Kuki and Biskuti. They needed their brother, their protector, their hero.

Wiping his tears away with a heavy paw, Kondo stood. His steps were still uncertain, but there was a spark of determination in his eyes. The journey ahead would be difficult, but he knew one thing for certain: he wasn't going to let his sisters—or himself—down again.

Kondo sat heavily under the acacia tree, his broad shoulders hunched as he stared at the ground. His mind swirled with frustration, guilt, and the overwhelming need to become stronger. He had to. For Kuki. For Biskuti. He couldn't let them down again.

"Pushing yourself to the brink again, Kondo?" came a familiar voice.

Kondo glanced up to see Taka approaching. The young prince's slim frame seemed even more delicate under the pale moonlight, his streaking jet black mane swaying with the breeze. Yet his steps were confident, his emerald eyes sharp and calculating.

"Taka," Kondo muttered, his voice low and heavy. "Why are you here?"

"I've been searching for you," Taka said simply, sitting down beside him. He leaned back against the tree, folding one paw over the other. "I couldn't just let the strongest member of the Lion Guard wander off into the night."

Kondo grunted, turning his gaze back to the ground. "I'm not the strongest. Not anymore. I need to be stronger. Stronger than ever before. I can't let Kuki and Biskuti down again."

At this, Taka chuckled softly, shaking his head.

"What's so funny?" Kondo growled, his ears flattening as he glared at Taka.

"Oh, nothing," Taka said with a sly smile, wagging a single claw in front of Kondo. "Just the idea that strength is all about muscles. I suppose I'm lucky you don't think too deeply, or you might have realized long ago that I'm not exactly a prime example of physical prowess. And yet, you follow me."

Kondo blinked, confused. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You don't even realize it, do you?" Taka asked, tilting his head. "When did you stop seeing me as that frail little lion you used to shove around?"

Kondo frowned, the memories of his cubhood bubbling to the surface. He had been a different lion then, running with Mufasa and the other strong, popular lions. Taka had been an easy target—a smaller, quieter cub who always seemed lost in thought. Kondo could vividly remember putting Taka in headlocks, giving him noogies, and laughing as the smaller lion struggled to escape.

"I... don't know," Kondo admitted, his voice uncertain. "I guess... it just changed."

Taka smirked. "Allow me to remind you, then."

Kondo listened as Taka began to recount the day that had changed everything.

"It was the day of the landslide," Taka began. "You remember, don't you? Near the eastern cliffs where Kuki and Biskuti loved to play."

Kondo's ears perked up, the memory rushing back. He remembered the panic, the sound of rocks tumbling down the slope, and the helplessness he had felt as he stared at the chaotic scene, unsure of what to do.

"You were frozen," Taka continued, his tone calm and measured. "You didn't know how to stop it. But I did. I saw the weak points in the rubble, the places where we could shift the weight to stabilize the rocks. I told you what to do, and you listened. Together, we stopped the landslide before it could reach your sisters."

Kondo's breath hitched. He had been so focused on saving Kuki and Biskuti that day that he hadn't fully grasped what had happened. But now, hearing Taka's recounting, it all made sense.

"That's when you stopped seeing me as weak," Taka said, his voice softer now. "Because strength isn't just about muscles, Kondo. It's about strategy, about using your mind as much as your body. That's why you follow me. Not because I'm stronger than you—but because I see the things you don't."

Kondo was silent, his mind turning over Taka's words. He had always thought of himself as the protector, the one who could solve any problem with sheer force. But Taka was right—sometimes, strength wasn't enough.

"You're not alone, Kondo," Taka added, placing a paw on his friend's shoulder. "You don't have to carry the weight of the world on your own. That's why we're a team. That's why I trust you. And that's why Kuki and Biskuti adore you. Not because you're the strongest, but because you're their brother. That's what matters most."

Kondo's chest tightened, a mix of gratitude and humility washing over him. He looked at Taka, the small lion who had once seemed so insignificant, now commanding such respect and wisdom.

"Thank you, Taka," Kondo said, his voice steady. "For reminding me."

Taka smiled, his green eyes gleaming. "That's what friends are for."

As the two sat under the stars, Kondo felt a renewed sense of purpose. He didn't need to prove his strength—he just needed to be there for the ones who mattered most.

The warm sun filtered through the branches of Midzimu Grove as Kondo returned with Taka by his side. His massive frame carried a renewed confidence, but it wasn't just the strength in his muscles—it was the clarity in his mind, the strategy he now understood thanks to Taka's words.

"Kondo!"

Kuki and Biskuti rushed toward him, their little faces beaming with joy. The sight of his sisters' happiness melted away the remnants of his doubt, and he lowered his head to nuzzle them both.

"Big brother, you're back!" Kuki squealed, her pom-poms clutched tightly in her paws.

"We knew you wouldn't give up!" Biskuti added, her wide grin lighting up her face.

"I'll never give up on you two," Kondo said firmly, his deep voice filled with affection.

But the moment of warmth was interrupted by a low, menacing chuckle.

Ngurumo emerged from the tall grass, his massive, jet-black frame towering over the gathered lions. His single, blazing eye locked onto Kondo with a look of pure malice.

"Well, well," Ngurumo said, his voice a deep rumble. "The lion returns. I was starting to think you'd run off for good."

Kondo stood tall, his broad shoulders squared as he faced the monstrous buffalo. "I'm here to finish this."

Ngurumo's chuckle deepened, echoing through the grove. "Brave words. Let's see if you've learned anything."

The ring was drawn in the dirt once more, and the crowd gathered around to watch. Kuki and Biskuti stood at the edge, their pom-poms in hand, ready to cheer their brother on with all their hearts.

Taka remained close, his green eyes gleaming with sharp focus as he gave Kondo a final nod. "Remember, Kondo. It's not about brute strength. Use your head. He's bigger, but that makes him slower. Find his weak spots."

Kondo stepped into the ring, his muscles rippling as he prepared to face the towering buffalo. Ngurumo snorted, pawing at the ground, his scarred face twisted into a wicked grin.

The match began.

Ngurumo charged, his sheer size and power shaking the ground beneath him. Kondo stood firm, his keen eyes watching every movement. At the last second, he shifted his weight, sidestepping the buffalo's attack and pushing against Ngurumo's side with all his might.

The crowd gasped as Kondo managed to force Ngurumo back a step. But the buffalo recovered quickly, his massive frame turning with surprising agility as he pressed forward again.

The match was a grueling back-and-forth, with Ngurumo's raw power clashing against Kondo's newfound strategy. Kondo used every trick Taka had taught him, exploiting Ngurumo's heavy frame and slow movements to avoid direct hits.

Finally, the opportunity came.

Ngurumo lowered his head for a devastating charge, his single horn gleaming in the sunlight. But Kondo saw it coming. He sidestepped once more, planting his paws firmly as he pushed against Ngurumo's side with all his strength. This time, he used the buffalo's own momentum against him, shifting his weight and leveraging Ngurumo's massive center of gravity.

The crowd erupted in cheers as Ngurumo toppled to the ground, his colossal body landing with a thunderous crash.

Kondo stood tall, his chest heaving with exertion as he looked down at his fallen opponent. Ngurumo's single eye was wide with shock, his massive frame trembling as he struggled to process what had just happened.

"How?" Ngurumo muttered, his voice a low growl. "I feel no pain. I am unstoppable. How could I lose?"

Kondo's gaze softened, and he spoke with the calm authority of someone who had finally understood true strength.

"Because strength isn't just about power," Kondo said. "It's about using your mind, your heart, and the support of those who believe in you."

Kuki and Biskuti rushed into the ring, throwing their tiny bodies against Kondo's massive frame as they cheered and hugged him.

"You did it, big brother!" Kuki cried, tears of joy streaming down her face.

"You're the strongest!" Biskuti added, her voice filled with pride.

Taka approached, a sly smile on his face as he met Kondo's gaze. "Well done, Kondo. I knew you had it in you."

Kondo smiled back, his gratitude evident as he nodded to the young prince. "Thank you, Taka. For everything."

As the sun set over Midzimu Grove, Kondo stood surrounded by his sisters and friends, his spirit renewed. He had faced his greatest challenge and emerged stronger—not just in body, but in mind and heart.

Ngurumo struggled to his feet, his massive body trembling with the effort. His single eye burned with fury as he glared at Kondo, a menacing snarl curling his lips.

"This isn't over, lion," Ngurumo growled, his voice a low rumble filled with menace. "Next time we meet, I'll pound you into the dust. You'll regret ever crossing me."

Kondo stood tall, his broad shoulders relaxed and his expression calm. He gave a faint smirk, his greenish-blue eyes meeting Ngurumo's with unwavering confidence.

"I'll be looking forward to it," Kondo said, his voice steady. "But don't think I'll go easy on you. You're a tough opponent, Ngurumo, but now I know how to win."

Ngurumo snorted, his breath coming out in harsh puffs as he turned and stomped away, his massive frame disappearing into the tall grass. The crowd slowly began to disperse, murmurs of awe and excitement buzzing through the air.

Kuki and Biskuti clung to Kondo's legs, their little faces beaming with pride. "You're amazing, big brother!" Kuki cheered, waving her pom-poms.

"No one can beat you!" Biskuti added, her voice filled with admiration.

Kondo nuzzled them both, his deep chuckle rumbling in his chest. "Thanks, pom-poms. You two are all the cheer squad I'll ever need."

Before long, a group of sultry lionesses approached, their eyes glimmering with admiration as they fawned over Kondo's impressive display of strength.

"Kondo, you're so powerful!" one purred, her voice dripping with flirtation.

"Such a hero," another added, batting her lashes.

Kondo chuckled, shaking his head as he gently brushed them off. "Sorry, ladies, but the only ones who matter to me are these two," he said, motioning to Kuki and Biskuti. "My little pom-poms are all the company I need."

The lionesses giggled, albeit disappointed, and slowly retreated, leaving Kondo surrounded by his true supporters.

Taka stood nearby, watching the scene with a warm chuckle. "You're something else, Kondo," he said, his green eyes glinting with amusement.

Kondo grinned, his hearty laugh echoing through the grove. "What can I say? I know what's important."

As the group made their way back to Pride Rock, the golden hues of the setting sun bathed the savanna in a warm glow. Taka walked alongside Kondo, the two of them sharing a rare moment of camaraderie.

"You know, Kondo," Taka said with a sly smile, "you might not be the deepest thinker, but you've got a good heart. And that's worth a lot."

Kondo chuckled, his massive frame swaying as he walked. "Coming from you, Taka, I'll take that as a compliment."

As they reached the base of Pride Rock, the silhouette of the towering landmark standing strong against the twilight sky, Kondo felt a newfound sense of purpose. He wasn't just the strongest for himself—he was the strongest for those who believed in him. And that was all he needed.

To Be continued…..