Chapter 11, The Whispers of the Savannah summit

Wow, we've passed a year since I uploaded this story first five chapters! It's been a ride! Thanks for reading so far and I hope you enjoy this episode, I put a lot of heart into it!

The sun rises in the pride lands, sunshine shining on the ground at the entrance of pride rock, creating a beautiful sparkling effect. Kion wakes up, smiling at the beautiful sight of the new morning. He stands up, yawning and stretching to wake himself up. He looked around, spotting Simba watching over the pride lands. Zazu flew to him and landed beside him, most likely giving him the morning report. Suddenly Rafiki appeared, coming into the inside area of pride rock.

'Good morning Kion.' Rafiki said enthusiastically.

'Morning Rafiki, you seem excited today.' Kion responded.

'Why wouldn't I be?' Rafiki said, laughing and singing excitedly as he laid down his painting material on the ground and started painting on the walls. Kion laughed at the overexcited mandrill. Kion walked outside, Zazu flying away just as he came outside. 'Morning dad.' Kion said, alerting his dad of his presence. 'Good morning my son.' Simba responded, the two sharing a hug. 'Any plans for today?' Simba asked. 'Not really.' Kion responded. 'You have something in mind?'

'Actually, yes.' Simba said.' Since you've been getting better very well, I would like to ask for your presence at the savannah summit.' Kion reacted surprised. 'Why would I need to be there?' He asked. 'Well, you are very involved with the herds. Makuu is joining the summit, and I think it would be a good opportunity for you to work with the team.' Simba said. 'Wait, Makuu is joining the summit?' Kion asked confusedly.

'Crocodiles have always been part of the summit, the savannah summit is there to unite our herds, even the crocodiles.' Simba explained.

'Right, okay. Me and the team will be there.' Kion said.

'I'm happy to hear that Kion.' Simba responded.

Kion walked down pride rock and went into the Lion Guard den, where the team were preparing for the morning patrol. 'Morning guys.' Kion said, everyone looking up in response. 'Hey Kion, you coming back yet or what.' Bunga responded. 'Bunga.' Fuli said annoyedly. Kion laughed. 'Soon Bunga. But until then, I do have a job we can do together.' The team got off their resting positions and came towards Kion in curiosity. 'The savannah summit is today, dad asked me if we could join in to keep watch, as Makuu is in the summit.'

'Who thought that was a good idea?' Fuli asked.

'All the herds must come together, even the crocodiles. The only way we can keep things peaceful and united is if everyone can talk on neutral ground.' Kion explained.

'Thats pretty logical.' Ono responded.

'So, you guys up for it?' Kion asked.

'I don't see why not.' Fuli said.

'Good.' Kion said with a smile.

The group went outside, smelling the sweet morning fresh air. 'So, this is our first mission back with the full team again? Oh I can't wait!' Bunga said excitedly. 'How long do we have to wait? Will the summit be long? Oee how many times do you think Makuu is gonna cause trouble?'

'Bunga please.' Fuli said. Bunga ran ahead towards pride rock.

'I'm impressed how you put up with him the last few months.' Kion joked towards Fuli.

'He's been very annoying at times. But you know him, he means well.' Fuli responded.

'Absolutely.'

'But, how have you been, healing well?' Fuli asked.

'Mostly well.' Kion said, he then looked at his weak leg. 'Apart from that.'

'You think it's gonna be long?' Fuli asked.

'Rafiki said I have to be patient, there's no guarantee it will be strong again, but he's confident it will.' Kion responded

'You've already shown your strength, if anyone can become fully strong again, it's you.'

'Thank you Fuli, and how about you, can't have been easy lately.'

Fuli laughed. 'It's been chaos, the hyenas are enjoying not being flown into space all the time.'

'Not too much I hope.' Kion looked at the blue skies surrounding pride rock, only a few small clouds filling the air. Fuli looked at the surroundings too. 'Luckly they aren't so smart, it could've been way worse.'

Kion nodded. 'Thats good news.'

The group spotted some key animal leaders already standing by pride rock. The buffalo leader and giraffe leader already stood talking to each other. The gazelle leader was also close by, eating some grass as he waited. 'Kion, guard, good that you are here.' Simba greeted the guard. 'I am of good faith the summit will go well, Kion, one second please.' Simba and Kion walked away from the rest. 'I'm not so worried about Makuu, I'm more worried about everyone else. Keep that in mind.' Simba said. 'Why?' Kion asked. 'Makuu has brought us through a lot of trouble.' Simba looked his son dead in the eyes. 'What's worse, someone trying to reform or others judging that one trying to reform because of past mistakes?' Kion didn't really know how to respond; 'The question is so simple, but this situation is more complicated than that.' Kion responded. 'What's worse Kion?' Simba asked again. 'The second thing, of course.' Kion responded reluctantly. 'Then give him a fair chance.' Simba told Kion, before turning around and walking up to Zazu. 'On it dad.' Kion responded, before walking back to the rest of the guard. As he walked towards them, he could hear some animal leaders whispering. He ignored it and moved on. 'A lot of whispering, do you think they know Makuu is coming?' Fuli asked Kion. Kion looked at the other leaders, seeing the Giraffe and the Buffalo talk really closely with each other. 'Possibly, but I cannot confirm.' Suddenly everyone looked around as Makuu arived. He walked past the guard, spotting Kion with the rest of the guard. 'Kion.' He just commented as he walked by. 'Makuu.' Kion responded back as a sign of respect. Kion looked around, trying to read the other animal leaders, something didn't sit right with him. Not much later the elephant leader as well joined the group, smiling as she saw Kion. 'Good to see you Kion.' She said kindly. 'Good to see you too.' Kion responded.

'Alright everyone is here, it's time to make our way to Mizimu grove, where we can have the summit on neutral grounds.' Zazu announced. Simba walked ahead, the rest of the animals followed. The lion guard walked at the end of the parade of key animal leaders, watching on. As everyone arrived at the neutral ground, the animals split up into small group, discussing some things with each other. 'Alright guys, let's split up, keep a watchful eye, don't act alone, report back if you see anything strange.' Kion told the guard. Everyone nodded in response before everyone went in their own direction. Kion stayed behind, looking around. He saw the giraffe and the buffalo behind the trees, talking closely, like they didn't want anyone to hear. Kion continued looking for a few seconds, the giraffe seeing that Kion was looking, seconds later both the giraffe and the buffalo walk away, further behind the trees where Kion couldn't see them. Kion didn't say anything, he just observed his surroundings, he could see the elephant talking to Simba, the two calmly chatting. Kion decided to walk up to them. 'Hey son, how's everything so far?' Simba asked. 'Calm so far, I guess.' Kion responded. 'Phew, thats good, i hope the other animals will accept Makuu quickly, I see he's trying really hard to do the right thing.' Ma Tembo, the elephant commented. 'Yeah, I haven't heard trouble yet.' Kion responded.

'I hope it stays that way.' Simba added.

'Hey Kion, your team did a great job recently, protected the pride so well.' Ma Tembo said. 'It's amazing to have such a dedicated team to protect us. I remember the times of your grandfather Mufasa, he had to defend the pride lands all on his own. You guys working together as a team, its a really safe feeling.'

'Thanks Ma Tembo, the team works very hard.' Kion responded. Ma Tembo smiled. 'I know, and you have too, I'm very happy you're here.'

'Thank you Ma Tembo, I apreshiate that.' Kion told the elephant in gratitude. Kion spotted the rest of the guard walking towards him. 'Give me one second.' Kion told his father, turning to his team. 'Anything out of the ordinary?' Kion asked. Fuli sighed; 'It's better to ask what's ordinary.' Kion was confused. 'What do you mean?' He asked. 'Everyone is being so mysterious, they are always whispering, staying to themselves.' Fuli answered.

'I saw Makuu talking to Bapu about the dry season, but I'll be honest, Bapu wasn't making it simple for Makuu to just talk about the issues he faces in the dry season.' Besthe added.

'You think they are all so against Makuu Kion?' Bunga asked. Kion thought for a few moments. 'I don't think they are.' Kion responded. Fuli looked at him confusedly. 'What do you think it is then?' She asked. Kion turned back towards Simba. 'Dad, could you bring all the animals together and see how far they've come in discussing the topics you gave them?' Kion asked. 'I sure can son, anything wrong?' Simba responded. 'Not yet, I just want to see something.' Kion said.

Simba nodded, looking at Zazu, who understood his assignment immediately. The bird flying away and the key animal leaders coming from all sorts of directions to form a circle in the middle of Mizimu grove. The guard looked around, Kion sensed that the animals were uncomfortable, that they were worried. Fuli saw Kion observing the animals, thinking deeply about something.

'Okay everyone, we've been going for a bit now, how many of you have discussed about sharing water during the dry season?' Simba asked.

'Your majesty, I tried talking to Bapu, but we haven't been able to come to an agreement.' Makuu said honestly. 'No worried Makuu, I will come talk with you and see what can be done.' Simba said. 'Anyone else?' Simba asked, looking around the circle. Everyone looked to each other, but no one said anything. 'Is this about Makuu? We can have a normal conversation right?' Simba asked everyone seriously.

'Your majesty, we promise that we can do it seriously, we, we just need more time to discuss in groups, we were just getting started when you called us.' The giraffe said. Kion looked at her, she seemed on edge, she then looked at Kion, quickly looking away as she saw him looking. Kion stayed still for a few seconds, pretending he didn't see it. He then turned to Fuli.'Keep watch, don't interfere unless they are fighting.' Kion told her. 'Where are you going?' Fuli asked. Kion stood up and spoke a little louder. 'I forgot I had something else to do, see you guys later.' Kion said.

'Leaving now?' Simba asked. 'Yeah, I forgot mom had something for me to do, better go to her.' Kion responded. Simba looked surprised. 'Oh, okay, good luck son.' He said, then turning to the animals. 'Okay, I'll go help Makuu en Bupa, please discuss the topics we want to deal with today, it will make the incoming dry season much easier to deal with.' The animals nodded in response, everyone again going in different directions to talk. 'Okay everyone, observe, only interfere when fighting.' Fuli reminded everyone. 'What is going on?' Fuli said to herself. She then spotted the giraffe and the buffalo in the distance, talking mysteriously. Fuli decided to sit into one of the bushes, trying to get answers.

'Well i get nervous you know.' The giraffe said

'I do too, I mean, we all know what it means.' The buffalo responded.

'We're doomed?'

'Maybe.'

'Well, i feel a bit better now, what are you gonna do for the dry season.'

'Not share my water with Makuu, that's for sure.'

Fuli was left even more confused than before. "What are they talking about?" Fuli asked herself, she secretly walked away from the two, going to check on the other animals.

Kion walked back to pride rock in silence, along the way he spotted a small rock, pushing it away in frustration. He continued walking, slowly climbing up the rocks to his den in pride rock. Only Rafiki was there, quietly painting pictures. 'No singing?' Kion joked as he entered, it wasn't often he saw Rafiki paining in silence. 'Well, are you singing a joyfull song yourself?' Rafiki responded. Kion laying down defeatedly. 'How do you know?' Kion asked surprisedly. Rafiki laughed. 'Tough animals like you are very predictable. Hoping to leave behind the past with a song and a cheer, but it always comes back to bite them, whether that moment is within a day, or within 10 years.'

Kion sat up. 'I knew things wouldn't be the same immediately, I can't run, I don't know how long it will take before I can roar. But this, this just hurt.' Kion stared at the floor. 'The animals that trusted me, that saw me as their protector, they are afraid of me.' Kion shook his head in frustration. Rafiki turned to Kion. 'It brings out an underlying fear of yours, doesn't it?' Kion looked away, feeling many emotions at the same time. 'Makuu was the first to great me, MAKUU!'

'Oh young cubs like you shouldn't have all this on your shoulders. But since you do, look at me.' Rafiki said, Kion looked at Rafiki, trying to hold back his emotions. Rafiki came to him and sat down in front of him. 'Listen. And take this to heart.' He said; 'I see your frustration, and it's fully understandable. Others seeing you as the thing you swore yourself you would never become. But you aren't that, you are the leader of the Lion Guard! And you're very young, there will be plenty of moments where things don't go your way or you're left frustrated. But you'll learn through these moments how to be a great leader. It's a special journey Kion, and you have plenty of real friends who see you for who you are, no matter the scars! You have a special path ahead, that will lead you to what you need, to succeed.' Rafiki put his hand in a bucket of some fruit juice and smeared a bit of the juice on Kion's forehead. 'Never has a lion been chosen as Lion Guard leader at this age. That you are chosen now, means you are needed, and you will succeed, with time.'

Kion nodded, he didn't really know what to say. Rafiki smiled. 'It's okay to be frustrated now, I won't judge you. You'll overcome.' Rafiki gave Kion a friendly pet on the shoulder, before leaving to get some more paint. Kion sighed; and walked out onto the rock that looked over the entire pride lands perimeter, and beyond. He then carefully made his way down pride rock, which was always a big workout for his front legs these days. As he made his way down, he went to the lake where it was fairly quiet. He stood beside a rock, taking some time to drink. In the distance Kion heard a zebra walking through the not so deep body of water, the zebra suddenly spotting Kion behind the rock. The zebra got scared, running away whilst exclaiming: 'Panic and run.' Kion just calmly watched as the zebra did so. "You'll overcome, eventually." Kion thought to himself. He looked into the water's reflection, looking at himself. This was something he tended to avoid, but now he decided to go through it. From the scars around his right eye, to the many marks on his chest and legs. From the big bitemark hidden on his belly, to the very obvious deep scars on his weak leg. Kion realized the opportunity to learn and grow. "You'll overcome, eventually." He repeated to himself again.

Kion heard more sounds of running, but he knew it wasn't the zebras. He looked around and saw Fuli coming over. 'Hey, having a nice break?' She asked as she arrived, sitting down beside him. Kion nodded calmly. 'Yeah, very quiet here.' He responded. 'How did the rest of the summit go?'

Fuli rolled her eyes. 'Very childish behavior towards Makuu, but they finally started coming to some agreements. Lot less whispering a lot more talking.' Fuli explained. Kion nodded. 'Good.'

'We missed something, didn't we?' Fuli asked, trying to put the ties together. 'The vibe changed so much suddenly.' Kion nodded in responded. 'They're scared Fuli.' He said, calmly looking across the grasslands. 'Scared of what?' Fuli asked confusedly. 'Scared of me.' Kion answered. Fuli reacted surprisedly. 'Seriously? You sure?' She asked. Kion nodded. 'Yeah, I know it. I already talked to Rafiki about it, I'll be fine, it's just annoying right now.'

Fuli sighed. 'I can imagine, that's so childish.'

'Maybe so.' Kion responded. 'But I understand them, they don't know much good from scars.'

'But you're not like that.'

'I know.' Kion assured Fuli. 'And I'll be fine, just gonna take some time to get used to that, for the entire team as well.' Kion sighed. 'They might not take me as seriously anymore, at least for a while.'

Fuli looked at the ground, slightly frustrated herself. 'It will pass.' She said, trying to support her friend. 'It will.' Kion said with a smile. 'With time.'