Chapter 1: Backed Up and Backup
*I only own the idea for the story. All Lion Guard characters, places, ect. belong to Disney, Disney Jr. Disney +, ect. Lion Guard All Rights Reserved.*
*Story takes place during Season 2, but is not related to any episodes from the show. Totally fictional.*
"Push! Come on!" Beshte said as he pushed against the massive rock. No luck. Upon stopping to catch his breath, Beshte looked at his father, Basi.
"This thing is wedged in! This rock can't be stuck!" Beshte said, his ears going back and down.
"That, or water is filling the cracks under it up. So it's harder to move when it isn't loose enough," Basi replied as he too thought why the rock wouldn't move.
The rock in question was a boulder that came crashing down near the waterfall that lead to the river. The river was next to a forest in the Pridelands, and since it was getting dry, the river HAD to be filled up with water for animals to drink! Sadly, a few days ago, a nearby rockslide cause a boulder and other rocks to block the top of the waterfall, stopping the water that went to the river. Now that water was getting backed up into the hippo lanes, and could possibly get even more backed up if the boulders weren't moved.
"Grrrrr! Move! Twende Kiboko!" Beshte grunted as he, Basi, and the other hippos grunted and pushed on the rocks in front of them. It was a miracle if any rocks budged even a little. The hippos stopped again, feeling like every effort they made was slow, and barely helpful.
Suddenly a voice shouted joyfully nearby, and Beshte recognized who it was. The young hippo smiled, preparing for the wet results.
"Zuka Zama!" Bunga exclaimed before splashing into the water nearby. Kion, and Fuli joined the hippos as they walked in the water, with Ono flying overhead.
"Wow. I knew that rockslide was bad, but this is too much!" Fuli said as she notuced how much water was around them. Bunga came up for air, squirting water out of his mouth, which hit Fuli.
"Ugh! Bunga!" Fuli said before shaking herself off.
"Beshte? Basi? How's the boulder moving coming along?" Kion asked curiously.
"Tough. We've tried different angles, pushing under and above water, sometimes both. Even moving rocks on the sides, but this boulder just doesn't want to move!" Beshte retorted.
"We've been trying different solutions, but no luck. The water's gotten so backed up, it's overflowing inyo the hippo lanes. Believe me, we hippos like water, but it's not like we want our home to be a lake forever!" Basi replied.
"We've been living with Mtoto's elephant herd for the time being until the water clears out of the hippo lanes. Like dad said, our home isn't suppose to be a lake. Grass is a part of what allows us hippos to clear a path and give the traveling herds a calm surrounding. All that water isn't good," Beshte added. Basi smiled then turned to his son.
"Beshte, why don't you take a break? The other hippos and I can keep trying to clean this boulder," Basi said casually.
"You sure dad?" Beste asked, slighty concerned.
"Yes Beshte. You can come back and help us later. You deserve a break for all the work you've done try to help us move this boulder," Basi replied. Beshte nodded, and left with the rest of the Lion Guard.
The Lion Guard roamed the Pridelands as they looked for any signs of trouble.
"Sorry to hear about the water backup Beshte. I wish we could help," Ono said as he flew slightly above everyone.
"Thanks Ono. It's bad enough the water's going into the hippo lanes, but that river is where the water needs to go. I mean, the dry season can offer less water to drink, but we've had so much rain in the last week or so that the river should be full. If it wasn't for that boulder, the river would be a good place for traveling herds to get a drink!" Beshte responded.
"Exactly. But at least you and and the hippos are trying to do the right thing," Kion added. Beshte smiled slightly.
"Hang on, I got something!" Ono said before flying higher. The egret scanned the area until he saw smoke. Upon looking closer, he located the problem.
"Hapana! Janja and his clan are attacking the forest area of Mekundu Cliffs! And it looks like they're setting the forest on fire! The gazelle are already dispersing!" Ono reported seriously.
"No! Ono, fly ahead and let us know if anything else happens! Help with putting out the fires if you can! Fuli, run to the forest and try to calm down down the gazelle. Beshte, try to find some water or dirt to put out the fire! Bunga, you're with me. We'll go after Janja and his hyenas," Kion told his friends.
"Till the Pridelands end, Lion Guard defend!" the group said as thet headed for Mekundu Cliffs.
At Mekundu Cliffs, the gazelle ran away from the area as the fire spread, as well as Janja and his clan chasing them.
"Hahaha! Tastey gazelle with a taste of smokey land on the side! The Lion Guard can't stop us now!" Janja said as he and his friends kept chasing the gazelle.
"Huwezi!" Fuli said as she ran into the hyenas, knocking them back. The cheetah smiled.
"Gazelle, follow me to safety!" Fuli instructed before leading the herd to a safer place.
"Twende Kiboko!" Beshte exclaimed as he rammed into the hyenas before running toward the fire. The young hippo looked around, and knew what to do.
"Not enough water in the river. It's up to just above my height,, but there's lots of dirt! That dirt can get the fire out!" Beste tokd himself before getting to work. Luckily, the cliffs would help force dirt down towards the flames to help put them out.
"Ono! Gather dirt to put the fire out! I'll do the same. We can force the dirt downhill and towards the fire!" Beshte called out to his friend from above.
"Affirmative Beshte! Good plan!" Ono replied before flying off to gather dirt.
"Zuka Zuma!" Bunga exclaimed before pouncing on the hyenas. The young honey badger tackled the bigger, dog-like predators before releasing his stinky green gas.
"No! No! No!" some of the hyenas shouted as they ran way, covered in Bunga's stink.
"Janja!" Kion shouted before pouncing on said hyena.
"Janja! Why did you set fire to Mekundu Cliffs?" Kion said, mad that Janja and his clan would cause chaos in such a peaceful place.
"Hahaha! You can't fight my clan, AND the fire at the same time, Kion. Either my boys and I get a meal, or the forest burns to ashes!" Janja replied with a laugh, and smiling.
"Huwezi! Kion, the gazelle are clear and safe!" Fuli said as she stopped next to Kion and Janja.
"Good. Help Beshte and Ono. We need to get this fire under control!" Kion responded strictly. Fuli nodded before running of to help.
Fuli arrived to help as Beshte and Ono put dirt onnthe fire. They saw Fuli approach, and stopped.
"Good job guys. I'm here to help! Looks like some dirt needs to be moved. Beshte, keep pushing the dirt downhill. I can spread the dirt out on the ground to put the fire out. Ono, you can - WOAH! What was that?!" Fuli said until she ducked down.
"A stick of fire falling from the sky? Hold on," Ono said before looking at the cliffs. He noticed someone droping sticks that were set ablaze.
"It's on of Janja's hyenas. He's dropping sticks that are on fire. The hyena must be trying to spread the fire out and in other areas from above. I'll stop him, you two keep trying to put the fire out," Ono said. Fuli and Beshte nodded before getting back to work.
Ono flew up towards the hyena, determined to stop him. Easier said than done, as the hyena dropped firey sticks AT Ono as the egret flew. It was tricky to stay on course and not get burned, but Ono made it through as he got closer.
If only he had seen the second hyena hiding as it threw one final firey stuck at Ono from the right side...
"HAPANA! NOOO!"