Ono

Ono is a male egret. He is the former smartest and keenest of sight member of the Lion Guard. He currently serves as a member of the Night Pride.
==Biography==
===The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar===
When Bunga and Kion race through the Pride Lands playing Baobab Ball, they encounter Ono, who flits fearfully out of their way.
Later, after Kion learns that he is to lead the Lion Guard, he appoints Beshte, Fuli, and Ono to positions on the Guard. He gathers the team together and attempts to show them the Roar of the Elders, but all that comes out is a squeak. Just then, Simba arrives and reacts in horror to Kion's choice of teammates. He insists that the Guard must be made of lions only and then berates Kion for treating his role as leader like a game.
Not long after this, the team learns that the hyenas in Janja's clan are attacking a herd of gazelles. With no time to lose, Kion assembles the Lion Guard, using his paw to gift each of them with a special shoulder marking.
Together, the five friends attack the hyenas, driving them back into the Outlands. Kion finishes the fight with the powerful Roar of the Elders, and even Janja flees in terror. Simba happens to be watching from a nearby ridge and realizes that his son was wise to have chosen who he chose. He congratulates his son on the victory and accepts this new, brilliant assembling of loyal animals.
===The Lion Guard===
===="Never Judge a Hyena by its Spots"====
When Janja and his cronies, Cheezi and Chungu, chase after a herd of oryx, the Lion Guard races to the rescue, chasing them off. As the hyenas scurry away, Kion takes chase, yelling at the rest of the Lion Guard to calm the herd. He then charges after the hyenas, chasing them into the Outlands, but as he crosses a log, it breaks beneath his weight, and he falls into the raging river below.
The rest of the Lion Guard attempts to save him, but Kion only manages to pull himself to safety on the opposite bank of the river, in the Outlands. Ono swoops down to check on his winded friend, and Kion admits that the river is too rough for crossing. He then instructs his friends to meet him at Flat Ridge Rock while he attempts to navigate through the Outlands. Bunga claims to know where Flat Ridge Rock is, and Kion sends Ono after his friends in order to ensure that they make it safely.
Back in the Pride Lands, Bunga leads the Lion Guard into an area of dense jungle. After a few mishaps, including a run-in with Ushari, the friends realize that Bunga is lost. Beshte suggests they talk to a rhinoceros who might be familiar with Flat Ridge Rock, and the Lion Guard agrees to the new plan.
While Beshte is talking to Mbeya, his friends wait on the edge of the water hole. Eventually, the friends grow impatient and insist that Beshte wrap up his conversation. Realizing that he'd forgotten to ask about Flat Ridge Rock, Beshte rushes back to ask Mbeya for directions.
With Beshte in the lead, the Lion Guard continues to search for Flat Ridge Rock until Ono picks it up on his radar. Fuli then speeds ahead of her friends, and the Lion Guard scrambles to catch up. With Fuli having sped ahead, the other members of the Lion Guard labor to catch up with her. Once they reach Flat Ridge Rock, they complain that Kion never would have left them behind, and Fuli apologizes for being over-eager.
While at Flat Ridge Rock, the Lion Guard overhears Kion using the Roar of the Elders. They immediately jump to Kion's defense, ready to fight off a young hyena named Jasiri, but Kion insists that she's a friend. Together, the Lion Guard and Jasiri walk to the border of the Pride Lands, where Jasiri and Kion exchange fond farewells.
===="The Rise of Makuu"====
Ono and his friends are first seen racing to the rescue of an animal crying for help. Ono scouts ahead to check out the situation, but he expresses annoyance at finding a mere hyrax stuck in a thorn bush. Irritated by the false alarm, the Guard proceeds to free the hyrax, who is soon swallowed by Ushari. Again, the Guard frees him, and he runs away in terror of Bunga's smell. Ono in particular shows revulsion to the stink.
The friends travel to Big Springs, where Beshte shows off his home to his friends. While there, they witness Makuu challenge Pua, the leader of the crocodiles, to a mashindano. While Kion goes to discuss this turn of events with his father, Ono attempts to clean off Bunga. He sings "Don't Make a Stink" with Bunga, Pumbaa, and Timon.
Later, the animals of the Pride Lands gather to witness the mashindano, and Makuu manages to pull a victory over the aged Pua. After Pua's defeat, the Lion Guard gathers in the Lair of the Lion Guard, where Ono makes another attempt to mask Bunga's stink. In the midst of the gathering, Kiara rushes up and warns Kion that the giraffes have moved into the baboon's forest. The Lion Guard rushes to the rescue, and the five discover that Makuu has invaded Big Springs, which has forced the other animals to switch habitats.
The Lion Guard confronts Makuu, asking him to leave Big Springs, but the crocodile refuses, mocking Kion for being unwilling to fight. Though Ono and the others encourage Kion to use the Roar of the Elders, the cub decides against it, not wanting to be like Scar and lash out in anger.
The five return to Pride Rock, where Kiara reveals that there's been an invasion of baboons. While the baboons run around in chaos, wrecking Pride Rock, Ono manages to use mint leaves to rid Bunga of his stink.
Eventually, Ono and his friends decide to demonstrate the Roar of the Elders on a grove of trees to show Makuu what he would be in for if he should attempt a fight. While Bunga, Fuli, and Ono set out to clear the grove of animals, Beshte and Kion confront Makuu. However, as they're clearing the grove, Bunga, Fuli, and Ono spot the hyrax sitting peacefully in one of the trees, and Bunga climbs up to bring him to safety. Ono gives the signal, and Kion roars into the trees, clearing them all of their branches. In awe, Makuu backs down and leads his float out of Big Springs.
After Makuu leaves, the animals return to their habitats, and Basi invites the crocodiles to return to Big Springs once the fish population spikes. The Lion Guard watches in satisfaction, and Ono apologizes to Bunga for trying to get rid of his smell.
===="Bunga the Wise"====
When the Lion Guard attempts to keep a family of baboons from falling with a loose tree off a cliff, the baboons refuse to see reason, and Kion sends Bunga up to scare them down. The plan works, and the baboons scurry down from the tree.
After the rescue, the Lion Guard takes a breather, but not long into their break, they see a wall of floodwater racing across the plains. Kion orders Ono to take a look, and Ono informs the Guard that Lake Kiziwa is flooding. Bunga proposes they knock a pile of large rocks into the way of the floodwater, and the flood is momentarily stopped.
As the other animals of the Pride Lands gather around, Rafiki approaches and starts to compliment honey badgers on their wisdom, but he is interrupted when he accidentally drops the fruit he's carrying. Bunga doesn't wait for Rafiki to finish and proclaims that he's the smartest animal in the Pride Lands.
As the Lion Guard races after Bunga, they encounter animal after animal who needs their help, and they continually rescue those affected by the floodwaters. Just before they can check on Ushari and the cobras, Ono flies in, proclaiming that they have to see what's going on at Hakuna Matata Falls.
When the Lion Guard arrives at Hakuna Matata Falls, they see animals lined up to meet Bunga, who has proclaimed himself to be a sage. Seeing the disaster for what it is, Kion attempts to talk Bunga out of his idiocy, but the honey badger refuses to rejoin the Lion Guard. Timon ushers the friends out of Bunga's lair, and the Lion Guard reluctantly leaves.
While walking the Pride Lands, the Lion Guard frees an ostrich with her head in the sand, and she explains that she'd been advised to do so by Bunga the Wise. After this, the friends encounter more and more animals taking Bunga's bad advice, and they're forced to rescue the poor beasts. Finally, Kion admits that they need to stop Bunga before it's too late.
Just then, they see Bunga at the head of a parade, celebrating his great wisdom. Kion runs up and once again attempts to make Bunga see reason, but the honey badger points out that everyone loves his advice. Timon adds that Bunga had fixed the dam, but just then, the dam breaks and the animals are forced to flee across the plains.
With Kion in the lead, the animals run into a canyon, where they find themselves at a dead end. Trapped, the animals look to Bunga for wisdom, but the honey badger tells them to listen to Kion, who truly does know how to handle bad situations. Thinking quickly, Kion orders the others to stand behind him, and he uses the Roar of the Elders to send the floodwaters splashing backward.
With the Pride Lands saved, the Lion Guard relaxes at a new water hole created by the floodwaters, where Ono rests on Beshte's back.
===="Can't Wait to be Queen"====
When Kiara is put in charge of the Pride Lands, Kion is ready to go on morning patrol with the Lion Guard, but instead of joining his team, Ono simply flies over them en route to Pride Rock. The Lion Guard rushes after their friend, but when they arrive at Pride Rock, Kiara is given a royal announcement by her friends, Tiifu and Zuri. A thoroughly annoyed Kion asks Kiara what's going on, and she explains that she is getting the morning report from Ono, since Zazu is off with the king and queen.
Ono then reports that a herd of elands are moving along the river and that several new hives of bees have appeared on the trail along the river. Kiara quickly connects the dots and realizes that the elands will run right into the hives, inciting chaos. She asks Kion to divert the herd rather than move the bees, and Kion reluctantly agrees.
However, a stubborn Kion refuses to listen to his sister and tries to move the bees himself, but the plan backfires, and the bees chase the Lion Guard away. After the disaster, Kiara chides her brother for not listening to her. His foolish decision helps convince her to meet with Janja alone, for she believes that she knows best. Kion, however, knowing this is foolish, calls the Lion Guard, and they help take down Janja and his cronies.
===="Eye of the Beholder"====
The Lion Guard finds themselves in the midst of a wildebeest stampede, unable to see through the thick dust. Kion calls to Ono, who can see from overhead, and he helps the Lion Guard chase off Janja and his minions, who had started the stampede. However, as Ono watches the hyenas enter the Outlands, he gets sand in his eye and falls to the earth.
Acting quickly, the Lion Guard brings Ono to Rafiki, who constructs an eye patch for the egret and tells him to stay out of action for three days. Though Kion tries to reassure Ono that the Lion Guard can get by without him, Ono insists on proving himself and attempts to show off his keen sight to his friends. However, as he's flying over the Pride Lands, he bumps into Mwoga, a vulture, who observes the chaos of the Lion Guard down below and decides to report back to Mzingo.
In the Outlands, the vultures are interrupted by Mwoga, who joins their parliament and reports what he's seen of Ono's hurt vision. Janja happens to overhear, and he sings "Outta the Way" with Cheezi and Chungu, hatching a plan to trick the Lion Guard while Ono is out of commission.
Meanwhile, Rafiki is attempting to paint a picture of the Lion Guard, but it keeps turning out wrong. In the midst of the proceedings, Beshte rushes up to his friends and reports that Janja has been spotted on a ledge overlooking a herd of zebras in the Pride Lands. Horrified, Kion takes the Lion Guard to investigate, minus Ono, who stays behind with Rafiki.
While with the baboon, Ono comforts Rafiki, reassuring him that his new painting looks just like the others, and Rafiki realizes that Kion's Lion Guard is not like the others, for they are not just teammates; they are friends. He thanks Ono for his help, and Ono realizes that he must help his friends no matter his condition. Giving a hasty goodbye to Rafiki, Ono flies off to rejoin his team.
As Kion leads the Lion Guard into a canyon, Janja and his minions drop rocks on either side of them, trapping them in the ravine. After gloating to Kion, Janja rushes off to pick off the zebra herd, and Kion and his friends attempt to escape the rock walls. Just in time, Ono appears, and Kion instructs him to move the zebras so that he can safely blast the rocks with the Roar of the Elders.
Ono does as instructed, and Kion breaks the Lion Guard free. With the Lion Guard now back in commission, Janja takes off with his minions, and the Lion Guard returns to Pride Rock, another mission safely sorted out. There, they are met by Rafiki, who has redone the painting so that Kion is among his friends, not just his teammates. Ono compliments the baboon's work, and Rafiki comments that such words mean a lot to him, as they come from the keenest of sight.
===="The Kupatana Celebration"====
When the Lion Guard expresses their excitement for the upcoming Kupatana celebration, Simba gently reminds them that Kupatana is a day of peace where all the animals in the Pride Lands gather together. In the midst of the conversation, the Lion Guard overhears a jackal pup being chased by Janja and his clan. Though Kion is hesitant to interfere with Outlands business, Simba encourages him to save the jackal for the sake of Kupatana.
With Kion in the lead, the Lion Guard enters the Outlands and fights off the hyenas. However, to Kion's surprise, instead of putting up a fight, Janja simply lets the Guard take the pup without a fight. Though confused, Kion checks on the jackal pup, who introduces himself as Dogo and asks if he can join the Lion Guard in returning to the Pride Lands. Again, Kion hesitates, but when Dogo proves too cute for the Lion Guard, he allows the pup to join them.
Once in the Pride Lands, the Lion Guard explains Kupatana to Dogo and invites him to join, despite Fuli and Ono's protests. They then grant him a hillside to use as his new home, and Kion leads the Lion Guard away on their daily patrol.
While on patrol, Beshte and Bunga spot Dogo's brothers making themselves at home in aardvark warrens. When the amount of jackals becomes too much for them, they call out for Kion, who races to the rescue. Once there, Kion attempts to find Dogo among the jackal pups, and Reirei steps forward, introducing herself and Goigoi as Dogo's parents. She then appeals to Kion to let them stay in the Pride Lands, for Dogo can't stay on his own, away from his family. A miffed Kion reluctantly agrees to her demands, but makes her promise to stop stealing the possessions of the aardvarks.
After getting Reirei settled, the Lion Guard rushes to the rescue of Mbeya, who is stuck in a mud pit, but they are alerted to Reirei's schemes by the cries of several robbed animals. The Lion Guard hurries to the scene, and Kion lectures Reirei for stealing from other animals. Reirei puts on an extravagant display, claiming that the customs of the Pride Lands are so different from their own, and asks if her family can participate in Kupatana. A still dubious Kion allows them to join, but only if they treat the other Pride Landers with respect.
Later that day, the Kupatana celebration begins, and the animals witness the blooming of the baobab blossoms. However, in the midst of the proceedings, Reirei and her family break through the crowd of animals and begin their hunt.
As the chaos continues down below, Kion and Simba implore the Pride Landers to work together in fighting off the jackals, and Kion jumps down to join the Lion Guard in wrangling up the jackal family. Together, they corner Reirei and her family in the midst of the tree grove, and Kion orders them to return to the Outlands. Still dripping with dramatic flair, Reirei pleads for a second chance until Simba steps forward and roars, frightening the jackals into running away.
With the jackals gone, Kion apologizes for his mistake, and Simba gently reminds him that it had been he who had encouraged the rescue of the jackal pup. He then points out that all the Pride Landers had stood together in fighting off the jackals, just as the spirit of Kupatana encourages. Bunga then begins to eat the fallen baobab blossoms, and many of the Pride Landers join in, welcoming back the joy and encouragement of Kupatana.
===="Fuli's New Family"====
The Lion Guard is directing a herd of cape buffalo away from a mudslide when Bunga is flung on top of Ushari, an Egyptian cobra. Out of pure reflex, Ushari bites him, and the Lion Guard proceeds to panic over the venomous bite.
With Bunga on Beshte's back, the Lion Guard races to Rafiki, who proclaims that Bunga is immune to snake bites. Timon and Pumbaa are relieved and resolve to throw a feast in celebration of Bunga's immunity, but none of the other Lion Guard members can come, save Fuli, who has plans to hunt by herself. A horrified Timon and Pumbaa insist that she join them, but as they walk away, Beshte, Kion, and Ono wonder if they should involve Fuli more in their activities.
After escaping Timon and Pumbaa, Fuli attempts to go hunting by herself, but she is interrupted by Ono, who invites her to a meal with his flock. Though at first elated, Fuli discovers that Ono's flock merely eats bugs that are kicked up by elephants.
After their encounters with Fuli, Beshte, Kion, and Ono meet up and relate their experiences with trying to include Fuli in their family activities. After relating their stories to each other, they realize that Fuli may just want to be left alone, and they resolve to find her and promise to let her be herself from now on.
Meanwhile, Bunga and Fuli have been cornered by Janja and his hyenas. Just in time, the rest of the Lion Guard shows up and helps Bunga and Fuli escape. Once safely back in the Pride Lands, the Lion Guard resolves to cool off at the water hole, and Kion gently reminds Fuli that she doesn't have to come. Fuli thanks Kion for understanding, but reassures him that she still enjoys the company of her friends and that she thinks of them as her family. The five friends then join in a group hug.
===="The Search for Utamu"====
The Lion Guard is checking on a herd of cape buffalo when they realize that the herd has settled near a geyser. When the geyser explodes, the herd takes off in a panic, but they are brought to a halt by Fuli, who circles them until they calm down.
The rest of the Lion Guard arrives, impressed, but no sooner have they abated the danger when three galagos cry out for help. Before Kion can instruct his team, Fuli rushes to the rescue, saving them on her own. Kion lectures her for rushing ahead of them, but Fuli reminds him that she'd known she could handle it by herself.
Shortly afterward, the team stumbles across Mapema Rock, where Bunga resolves to hunt for Utamu grubs, but as the honey badger is explaining himself to his friends, the Lion Guard hears a cry for help. Ono scouts ahead and reports that a serval has tried to jump across Big Ravine. Once again, without waiting for instruction, Fuli makes the save on her own, and Kion confronts her in a fury.
After the argument, Kion instructs Fuli to rest while the other members of the Lion Guard help Bunga find Utamu grubs. When the group appears to get lost in their search, Bunga instructs them to follow the dung beetles, and the friends take off after a group of dung-rolling beetles.
While following the dung beetles, Bunga tells his friends about the day he'd met his uncles, Timon and Pumbaa. After the story, Bunga attempts to climb a tree to fetch some Utamu for his uncles, but the branch breaks, and the Utamu fall into the river below. As Bunga grieves, Kion gently reminds him that they've just spotted vultures circling over the savanna and that an animal may need their help.
Across the Pride Lands, Fuli is set upon on all sides by Mzingo and his flock. Just in time, the Lion Guard fights them off, and Kion uses the Roar of the Elders to blow the flock away. Once the vultures are gone, Fuli thanks her friends for saving her and promises to wait for them on the next mission.
After Fuli is rescued, the Lion Guard travels to Hakuna Matata Falls, where they share in a feast of grubs.
===="Follow that Hippo!"====
When the Lion Guard is alerted to a hyena attack, they arrive on the scene, demanding to know where the hyenas are. At Kion's cry, a group of young animals emerges from the thicket, explaining that they had simply been playing "Lion Guard." Kion gently explains to them the dangers of pretending to be hyenas, and the young animals vow to never play in such a way again.
After the promise is made, a shy Mtoto approaches his idol, Beshte, and suggests that the real Lion Guard play with them. The other young animals are excited by this idea, but Kion admits that they have business elsewhere. However, Mtoto begs Beshte to stay, and the hippopotamus invites Mtoto to watch them train.
Once at the training grounds, Beshte tells the team that he's brought along Mtoto, and Kion agrees to let the young elephant train with them. However, Mtoto continually messes up the training session until Kion gently sends him home. Afterward, Kion continues to train his team by pitting Bunga against Fuli in a race. After the race, Kion asks Ono to look for Beshte, who hasn't shown up for training yet.
When Ono turns up nothing, the rest of the Lion Guard searches for Beshte, and they stumble across Mtoto's friends, who alert the team to the hyenas, who have attacked Beshte and Mtoto. After being sent by Kion to scout out the situation, Ono happens to catch sight of Beshte and Mtoto, and he races back to alert the team. Too late, Beshte and Mtoto are spotted by a float of crocodiles, and Mtoto fends them off by spraying water with his trunk. Just then, the rest of the Lion Guard appears and dispatches of the crocodiles. In the chaos, the hyenas are knocked into the pool, where they're chased in circles by the crocodile float.
===="The Call of the Drongo"====
The Lion Guard is alerted to the presence of three predators: Makuu the crocodile, Goigoi the jackal, and Janja the hyena. The animals who've overheard these vicious predators rush up to Kion, begging him for help, and the Lion Guard sets out to stop the trouble.
While Kion attempts to find Janja, Beshte and Bunga search the river bank for Makuu, and Fuli and Ono track down Goigoi. Despite sniffing around the sites of the incidents, the Lion Guard fails to yield any results, save for the thievery of the victims' food. A confused Kion presses the animals for more information, and he discovers that Goigoi, Janja, and Makuu had all said the same thing to their victim.
Just then, the Lion Guard overhears Janja, and they follow his voice to where a drongo named Tamaa sits perched in a bush. The Lion Guard presses him for information, and the bird points them in the right direction. However, as they're following Tamaa's instructions, Ono suddenly instructs the Lion Guard to turn back.
Once they've returned to Tamaa, they witness him mimicking Janja's voice in order to scare off a hyrax. A furious Kion confronts him for his wrongdoing, and Tamaa admits that he's been the one scaring off animals in order to steal their food. He then sings "Bird of a Thousand Voices" to explain his talent to the Lion Guard. Despite Tamaa's impressive skill, Kion remains unimpressed and makes Tamaa promise to only use his own voice from now on.
No sooner has Tamaa made his promise when the Lion Guard overhears the real Janja chasing down a herd of impalas. They race to the rescue and put a stop to the hyena's schemes, forcing Janja and his cronies, Cheezi and Chungu, back into the Outlands.
Not long after the hyena incident, the Lion Guard happens across a zebra who is fervently trying to escape danger. Upon being questioned, the zebra reveals that he and the impalas had heard Kion instructing them to go to the Outlands for safety. Suspicious, Kion surmises that Janja is forcing Tamaa to herd impalas into the Outlands for his own satisfaction, and the Lion Guard rushes to put a stop to the danger.
Just as the hyenas are cornering Tamaa in the Outlands, the real Lion Guard arrives and chases the hyenas away from Tamaa and the herd of impalas. Together, they escort the impalas back to the Pride Lands, where Tamaa vows to only use his voice for good from now on. After making his promise, Tamaa imitates Bunga's voice as he swoops away.
===="Paintings and Predictions"====
The Lion Guard is rescuing an infant gazelle whose hoof is stuck under a large rock. Beshte rushes down and lifts the rock off the gazelle's hoof, but the moment Bunga pulls him free, they both go tumbling over the edge of a steep drop. Just in time, Kion grabs hold of Bunga, and both animals are pulled to safety.
After the rescue, Ono escorts the gazelle home while the rest of the team heads to the Lair of the Lion Guard. Shortly afterward, Ono comes swooping back in, reporting a zebra stampede. The team takes off to sort out the problem, but as they run alongside the stampede, Bunga recognizes the pile of rocks from one of Rafiki's paintings. Horrified, he realizes that the rocks are going to fall on the zebra herd, and so with the Lion Guard's help, he steers the zebras to safety, and the rock falls harmlessly to the earth.
With the mission successfully sorted, Bunga goes to show Beshte the paintings, while Kion, Fuli, and Ono stay behind and question the zebras as to why they'd stampeded. The herd leader explains that a loud "boom" – or thunder, as Kion figures out – had stirred them into a frenzy. The Lion Guard reassures the herd that they're safe, and Kion sends Ono to guide the zebras home.
While Ono is escorting the zebras across the Pride Lands, Beshte and Bunga attempt to warn Kion that one of Rafiki's paintings has shown that he will fall from a tree, but the cub scoffs at them, disbelieving their wild stories. No sooner has he denied their worries when Ono swoops overhead, warning the team that the hyenas are attacking the zebras. With no time left to worry over Rafiki's paintings, the Lion Guard takes off.
Once there, Kion instructs his team to take on Cheezi and Chungu, while he handles Janja. As Janja chases a zebra around a large rock, Kion decides to climb an overhanging tree branch in order to ambush him, but Bunga races after him, tackling him to the ground. Together, the two fall on top of Janja, who races off to the Outlands.
After the awkward rescue, Kion questions Bunga as to why he'd tackled him, but Bunga simply whispers to Beshte that Kion had fallen from the tree, just as the paintings had predicted. Beshte, however, notes that it had been Bunga who'd knocked Kion from the tree, so the cub might still be in danger. Just then, Ono reports that three zebras are stranded on the other side of Maji Baridi Falls.
thumb|left|300px|"Kion, you can see the zebras from up here!"
Along the way, Bunga attempts to save Kion from tripping over a tree branch, but the branch turns out to be Ushari, who slithers away in disgust. A suspicious Fuli confronts her friends, who explain the danger Kion is in, and Fuli decides to help them. Just then, Ono calls for Kion to climb a tree and take a look around, but Beshte, Bunga, and Fuli scramble to save him, leaping up on the trunk so that the tree falls to the ground.
Kion demands to know what his friends had been doing, but he is interrupted when Ono spots a shortcut through the trees. Bunga quickly suggests a different route, and Beshte and Fuli support him until the team takes the new route, through a neck-deep, muddy river. While paddling the river, Bunga explains to Ono the danger that Kion is in, and Ono agrees to help the team.
The Lion Guard arrives at Maji Baridi Falls, where Beshte, Bunga, Fuli, and Ono become so distracted worrying over Kion that they fail to notice him crossing a large log over the raging river. In a panic, the friends cross the log to save him, but the log tips, throwing the team to the other side of the river. Furious, Kion demands to know why his friends are acting so strangely, and Bunga reminds him that Rafiki's paintings had predicted his fall from a tree branch. Kion, however, refuses to believe him.
thumb|right|300px|Ono attempts to stop Kion from crossing a fallen tree
With Kion in charge once more, Beshte rises to his feet and accidentally sends a rock rolling toward the zebras, who panic and fall into the river. The Lion Guard races alongside them until they reach the end of the falls, where Kion resolves to climb down on an overhanging tree branch and roar the zebras to safety. Bunga protests adamantly, worried for his friend, but Kion denounces the paintings once and for all, and climbs down to save the zebras. From the tip of the tree branch, Kion uses the Roar of the Elders, blowing the zebras to safety. On his way up, he slips and falls, but manages to catch himself and rejoin the team.
After the rescue, the team returns to the Lair of the Lion Guard, where Rafiki shows the friends that the paintings had been depictions of the past, not the future. With his staff, he shows that the zebra herd hadn't been running toward the rocks, but away from them after they'd fallen. He then explains that the cub they'd thought was Kion is actually the father of Nala, Kion's mother. After the revelation, Rafiki forces Bunga to clean up the spilled paints, and Bunga comments that he'd liked the other paintings better. The team then shares in a hearty laugh.
===="The Mbali Fields Migration"====
The Lion Guard rushes to stop a herd of gazelles from fighting with a herd of zebras. Once there, Beshte recognizes the gazelles as being Swala's herd and the zebras as being Muhimu's herd.
The Lion Guard rushes down the slope to put a stop to the fight, and Kion steps forward, roaring for silence. With the herds now paying attention, he and Beshte point out that the grazing grounds in the Pride Lands are open to everyone, but Muhimu and Swala explain that there's only one small patch of grass left for them to share.
thumb|left|300px|Ono scouts a route for the herds to take
After Kion is instructed to lead the herds to Mbali Fields by Simba, Ono reports back to Kion about a route they can take to Mbali Fields. After Ono's report, Kion announces to the herds that he will be leading them to Mbali Fields, and the two herds cheer for him. With a proud Kion in the lead, the herds set out, and "A Trail to Hope" plays as the combined herds follow the Lion Guard through the Pride Lands.
Eventually, the herds make it to a canyon, where Kion attempts to encourage the gazelles and zebras through their fatigue and hunger. Ono then assures Kion that they're close, though he voices his worries about an oncoming storm. As the herds pause to behold Mbali Fields, Muhimu loses patience and begins to charge down the canyon with her herd. Not to be outdone, Swala and her gazelles tear after them.
A frantic Lion Guard attempts to stop them, but, too late, a huge pile of rocks falls into the midst of the canyon, blocking the way into Mbali Fields. Kion realizes that they must scout out another route, for the rocks are unmovable. Ono rushes to fulfill this new command, but when he returns to Kion, he admits that the only other way to Mbali Fields takes them through the Outlands. Grimly, Kion accepts their fate.
thumb|right|300px|Ono reports that the herds are successfully settled in Mbali Fields
As the herds set out, the storm breaks over the canyon, and the combined herds begin to complain about Kion's leadership. No sooner have they finished griping when a flash flood forces the herds to race to higher ground. While Ono leads the herds to higher ground, Kion and the rest of the Guard rescue those still trapped in the rising waters.
Once the herds are safe, they begin to complain about Kion, criticizing his choice to take them through the canyon. Muhimu speaks up and takes the blame for starting the stampede. She then promises to make things easier from now on, and Kion thanks her for her loyalty. Thanks to Muhimu's words of encouragement, the herds trust Kion to lead them into the Outlands. However, just as they've entered the Outlands, Muhimu begins to go into labor, and Kion is forced to make a difficult choice. While he sends Beshte, Fuli, and Ono ahead to keep leading the herds, he and Bunga stay behind to help Muhimu give birth.
Eventually, the Lion Guard regroups in Mbali Fields, where they happily watch Muhimu's son play with Bunga.
===="Bunga and the King"====
While helping a sable antelope out of the mud, the Lion Guard gets word from Ono that Simba has fallen into a sinkhole. Kion races ahead to check on his father, and the rest of the Lion Guard finishes their duties before regrouping. Once at the sinkhole, Bunga foolishly jumps in, and the Lion Guard deliberates how they can free him and Simba.
With Bunga now trapped as well, the Lion Guard tries to tip a log into the sinkhole for Bunga and Simba to climb on, but it splinters to pieces at the bottom of the sinkhole. Eventually, Bunga and Simba discover a tunnel to Nandembo Caverns, and the rest of the Lion Guard agrees to meet them in the tunnels. Along with Timon and Pumbaa, the Lion Guard enters Nandembo Caverns, where they reunite with Bunga and Simba. After the rescue, the team travels to Mizimu Grove and sings "Hakuna Matata" with Simba and his family.
==== "The Imaginary Okapi" ====
After the Lion Guard finishes playing hide-and-seek, Fuli asks how long it took for Kion to find everyone. Ono reports that Kion found him pretty quickly. Then it is Fuli's turn to be it, and Ono soars away to hide, but the game soon ends when Fuli discovers some leopard tracks. Ono is puzzled and points out that there aren't any leopards in the Pride Lands. On Kion's command, Ono launches into the air to look for the leopard, and soon spots it near a herd of gazelles. He quickly descends and leads the Guard to the leopard. They approach the leopard, who introduces himself as Makucha and then tells them that if they want him to leave, they'll have to catch him first. Though pursued by Fuli, Makucha successfully escapes. Ono points out that he noticed the gazelles didn't seem the least bit frightened of the leopard, most likely because they have never seen one before.
Kion divides the Guard up, and after pairing Ono with Bunga, notices that Beshte is missing. Ono assures his leader that they'll find him, and he takes off after Bunga. The honey badger announces to Ono that he's found Beshte, who explains that he was showing his new friend Ajabu around the Pride Lands, and Ono says that he only saw Beshte, nobody else. Beshte describes Ajabu as a mix of three animals, and Ono points out that Ajabu sounds... different. But before Beshte can fully explain himself, Ono leads them back to Kion.
Back with the rest of the Guard, Kion breaks up an argument between Beshte and Bunga about whether or not Ajabu is real, and leads the Guard forward, intent on finding Makucha. When the group finds more leopard tracks, Beshte suddenly yells that he sees "him" and runs forward. Ono wonders vaguely why he didn't see Makucha. After a wild chase, the group discovers that they were chasing Beshte's imaginary friend instead of the leopard. Ono and Bunga try to talk Beshte into admitting that Ajabu is imaginary, but Beshte persists in his tale. 
After Beshte leaves, Kion asks why Ono doesn't believe Beshte. Ono explains that they never saw Ajabu even when Beshte claimed that he was present. Kion backs Beshte up, and Ono realizes that he and Bunga should apologize. They find Beshte and Ono apologizes. Beshte then leads the Guard forward to find Ajabu. They soon spot a zebra herd panicking, with the leopard stalking them. The Guard pursues Makucha for a short time, then pauses. Beshte explains that Ajabu was probably hiding in the herd, and expresses the thought that he can count on the Guard. Suddenly, an okapi runs by. Ono is surprised to see that Ajabu is actually real, and looks apologetically at Beshte. They notice Makucha chasing Ajabu, and Ono dives at the leopard to stop him. Eventually, threatened by the Guard, Makucha flees, and Beshte is able to introduce Ono and the others to Ajabu.
Later, Simba and Nala give Ajabu their blessing and permit him to stay in the Pride lands, and Ono and the Guard play hide-and-seek with the okapi.
==== "Too Many Termites" ====
While patrolling the Pride Lands after dark, the Lion Guard hears someone calling to them. Ono leads the Guard to Muhangus and Muhanga, who report that their den has been invaded by hyenas. Upon finding the supposed hyenas, Ono watches as Kion uses the Roar of the Elders to blast them into the Outlands. The next day, in the Lair, Ono reports that the Makunda Bats' tree is collapsing with the bats inside it. When asked by Bunga why he didn't wake the bats, Ono replies defensively that "they're bats." He then leads the Guard across the Pride Lands. 
Ono spots a fallen tree over a ravine that they can cross, but as soon as the Guard crosses it, the tree shatters. They continue on their way, and Ono soon points out the Bats' tree. He and the others fail to awaken the bats, but Bunga climbs into the tree and drives them out; Ono cries out in terror as they fly towards him. The Guard then notices a large number of termites on the tree, and Ono agrees with Kion's theory that they ate through the wood. More trees collapse as they speak, and Kion, worried, decides to consult his father Simba.
Simba, having noted the problem before the Guard arrived, suggests that they visit the aardwolves. Ono remarks that he's never seen an aardwolf before. Simba tells the Guard more, and they realize that they mistakenly drove aardwolves, not hyenas, out of the Pride Lands the night before. Kion decides to lead them to the Outlands and retrieve the aardwolves. As they track the pack, they realize that they haven't seen any termites thus far. Ono comments that when the aardwolves return, they will have a large amount of food waiting for them. The Guard soon locates the aardwolves, who flee in terror of Kion's Roar, and Ono and the Guard pursue them. Although the aardwolves outrun the Guard, Ono notices one scampering towards a cliff. Bunga quickly rescues the aardwolf, who is offended that the Guard thought him and his pack hyenas. Ono persuades the aardwolf into leading them to his pack, and once there, Ono realizes that the aardwolves are trapped by Reirei and Goigoi, two conniving jackals.
After rescuing the aardwolves, Ono and the Guard return them to the Pride Lands. Back in the Lair, Bunga feels upset. Ono playfully suggests termites from the aardwolves to cheer him up, and when Bunga quickly declares that he really does feel better, Ono chuckles.
===="The Trouble with Galagos"====
While lounging at Hakuna Matata Falls, Ono and the members of the Lion Guard content themselves by watching Bunga perform several dives into a pool at the base of the falls. In the middle of the game, a group of galagos sprints onto the scene, yelling for help. Laini explains that a ferocious leopard has settled into their tree. Kion resolves to help the galagos, but before the group can leave, Ono informs the team that Shingo the giraffe is stuck in a tree in Ukuni Woods.
After promising to come back for the galagos, the Lion Guard sets out to free Shingo, whose neck is stuck in the branches of an acacia tree. After the rescue, the galagos reappear, having been frightened away from the falls by Pumbaa's flatulence. Ono and the Lion Guard reassure the galagos that they are safe and tries to convince them to return to the falls, but Laini insists that they remain with the Lion Guard.
With the galagos riding on Beshte's back, Ono and the Lion Guard proceed to the galagos' tree, where they see the leopard resting in its branches. While the galagos shelter in a nearby bush, the Lion Guard confronts the leopard, who tries to put up a brave front until his courage fails him and he cowers before the team. Confused, the Lion Guard questions whether he is the ferocious leopard who had driven out the galagos, and the leopard, who introduces himself as Badili, explains that he had not realized that he had been stealing their home.
The Lion Guard questions whether Badili has territory of his own, and he admits that he lives in Mirihi Forest. He pushes on to say that he would rather share the galagos' tree than leave, but Kion insists that Badili return to where he belongs. Though the leopard tries several tactics to stay in the Pride Lands, he eventually gives in and follows the Lion Guard back home to Mirihi Forest.
Along the way, Badili stalls for time, and Kion demands to know why the leopard is not keen on returning home. Instead of answering, Badili forges ahead of the Lion Guard, returning to his tree alone. As the leopard disappears into the brush, Kion decides to follow him and see why he is acting so strangely. Together, Ono and the Lion Guard hides in the bushes near Badili's tree and watches as he is bullied by a fellow leopard named Mapigano. Outraged by Mapigano's cruelty, the Lion Guard rushes to Badili's defense and forces Mapigano to give Badili his territory back. Mapigano begrudgingly leaves, and Badili thanks the Lion Guard for their help.
The next day, Ono and the Lion Guard are patrolling through Embamba Canyon when they are once more met by terrified galagos. The team returns to the galagos' tree, where they find Badili once more resting in its branches. An ashamed Badili confesses that Mapigano had driven him out again. At Badili's words, Kion realizes that he had made a mistake in having chased off Mapigano himself. He informs his team that Badili must face Mapigano alone to show that he is not afraid and then offers to teach Badili how to stand up for himself. Though hesitant, Badili agrees to train with the Lion Guard.
During his training sessions, Badili learns to face his fears and be strong and swift. Badili passes every test, and Ono and the Lion Guard express their confidence in his newfound determination.
Together, the Lion Guard and Badili return to Mirihi Forest, where the Lion Guard waits in hiding as Badili confronts Mapigano. With his newfound determination, Badili demands that Mapigano leave his territory, but Mapigano simply springs into attack mode. The bigger leopard continues to taunt Badili until Badili takes a deep breath and declares that he is not afraid. He then dodges all of Mapigano's attacks and roars for him to leave his territory. Thoroughly intimidated, Mapigano flees, and the Lion Guard cheers for Badili's bravery.
With Mapigano gone, the Lion Guard reassures Badili that he had looked nothing short of brave. Ono praises Badili for having stood up for himself, and Badili thanks the Lion Guard for believing in him. Ono and the Lion Guard then leave to inform the galagos that they are clear to return home.
Once back in the Pride Lands, the team takes a break at Hakuna Matata Falls, but they are soon interrupted by Laini, who informs them that someone else has invaded the galagos' tree. The Lion Guard rushes to the scene, where they find Bunga resting in the tree branches with Laini's galago friends. Laini declares that perhaps Badili had not been so bad after all.
===="Janja's New Crew"====
After a rainstorm hits the Pride Lands, Ono and the Lion Guard patrol the kingdom for any signs of trail blockage. Unbeknownst to the team, Janja and his clan watch from the shadows, waiting for the Lion Guard to travel out of sight. Once they are gone, Janja attempts to ambush a herd of wildebeests, but mid-attack, he slips on the muddy ground and falls straight into the Lion Guard's paws. Though Janja attempts to lie his way out of trouble, Kion steps forward and uses the Roar of the Elders to banish him and his cronies back to the Outlands.
Ono and the Lion Guard continue to patrol the Pride Lands for blocked trails. During their search, they are caught in a mudslide and manage to escape to the sidelines. Once safe, they resolve to clear the now blocked trail from Big Springs to Mekundu Cliffs so that the other Pride Landers can use it once more. Kion orders Bunga and Ono to keep other animals from using the trail while he, Beshte, and Fuli clear scattered debris off the path.
Bunga and Ono manage to thwart Twiga the giraffe from using the blocked up trail, but a determined Thurston strides past them and gets trapped in the mud.
Later, the Lion Guard rescues two animals from a mudslide. The two are revealed to be Cheezi and Chungu, and Kion sends Ono off in search of Janja, while Cheezi and Chungu explain that they are no longer affiliated with Janja.
Ono soon arrives with news that Janja is nowhere to be seen, and Kion orders Cheezi and Chungu to return to the Outlands. The hyenas protest, reminding Kion that they will just be kicked out again, and the other members of the Lion Guard point out that Cheezi and Chungu are too dumb to cause much trouble. Kion questions whether they will continue to attack the herds, but the hyenas declare that they only want to eat leftovers. Ono points out that this will benefit the Circle of Life, and Kion reluctantly agrees to let the hyenas stay in the kingdom.
Just then, Ono spots a herd of stampeding antelope, and the Lion Guard rushes off to alleviate the problem. After calming the herd, Kion voices his suspicion that a hyena is behind the stampede, as he had caught a whiff of hyena scent while pursuing the herd. He instructs Ono to find Cheezi and Chungu, who are sleeping in a lazy heap in the path of the stampede.
The Lion Guard finds Cheezi and Chungu, who deny having started the stampede, and overhears Janja yelling for Nne and Tano. The team takes off to investigate the situation, and Cheezi and Chungu pelt after them, excited at the prospect of seeing Janja again.
Once Ono and the Lion Guard locate Janja, they question him on why he had started the stampede, and Janja explains Nne and Tano's plan.
At the end of the canyon, Nne and Tano trap a herd of oryxes and move in for the kill. Just in time, the Lion Guard arrives, and Kion uses the Roar of the Elders to force Nne and Tano away from the herd. Across the Pride Lands, Janja and his cronies fall to the bottom of the cliff. The Lion Guard arrives to aid them, but Janja insists that he is all right and prompts Cheezi and Chungu to follow him back to the Outlands.
===="Baboons!"====
During the Lion Guard's patrol, Ono reports that rain clouds are moving in and that Mzingo and his flock are circling in the distance. Suspicious of the vultures, Kion leads his team to ensure that the flock is not up to trouble.
Presently, the Lion Guard rescues a baby baboon from Mzingo and his flock. Shortly after the rescue, the baby baboon is swept away by floodwaters, and Kion orders Fuli to follow him down the river and pull him to safety.
Meanwhile, Ono spots Kiara, Tiifu and Zuri, who have been trapped by floodwaters, and he departs to warn Kion of the situation. In the meantime, Fuli returns to the team with the baby baboon, who is clinging to her affectionately, and is instructed by Kion to take him to Nyani Grove, where the baboons live.
Once at the scene of the flooding, Bunga encourages Kion to use the Roar of the Elders to get rid of the floodwaters, but Kion points out that the island could be destroyed in the process. After a moment of thought, he tells his team that they could try to make a bridge instead. Beshte pushes a tree into the midst of the river, but it is promptly swept away by the current. Kiara makes her own effort to escape, using the combined strength of herself, Tiifu, and Zuri to push a rock into the river. However, the rock simply rolls the other way and disappears into the floodwaters.
Ono reports Kiara's failed plan to Kion, who wonders if they should combine their two plans to get her off the island. He orders Beshte and Bunga to push a large boulder into the floodwaters while Ono instructs Kiara and her friends to collapse a dead tree.
Kiara and Kion start to execute their combined plans when Tiifu and Zuri fall into the river. Kiara races to the rescue, pulling them both to safety. With Tiifu and Zuri safe, the Lion Guard pushes the boulder into the water, and Kiara and her friends push a dead tree onto the boulder. To the Lion Guard's delight, the bridge holds, and Kiara, Tiifu, and Zuri cross safely to shore.
From afar, Kion, Bunga, Ono, and Beshte watch the Royal Buffalo Wallow. Just then, Fuli approaches and reports that the baby baboon is home safely, much to everyone's pleasure.
===="Beware the Zimwi"====
A group of young animals gathers at Rafiki's tree for a story about the Zimwi, a legendary creature that stalks the Pride Lands during the full moon. Bunga points out that the moon is full that night, and Rafiki warns the group that they may soon hear the Zimwi's call.
Just then, the group hears a loud bellowing noise, and Kion demands that the maker of the noise show himself. Beshte emerges from the brush and explains that he is practicing his bellowing for an audition with the Bellow Fellows. With the young ones' fear abated, Rafiki continues his story by singing "Beware the Zimwi". Though the others young animals are frightened by Rafiki's story, Kion scoffs at the notion of the Zimwi being anything more than a tall tale.
On the way home, Mtoto questions whether the Zimwi can be real or not, and Kion points out the ludicrousness of a creature having eight legs. No sooner has he spoken when a gust of wind howls past, frightening the group. Kion assures his friends that it is just the wind and suggests that the little ones sleep together that night in order to feel safe. Beshte proposes that they do the same, and Bunga invites Ono and the rest of the Lion Guard to sleep with him at Hakuna Matata Falls.
Later that night, a rustling in the underbrush scares Mtoto and his friends, who awaken Ono and the Lion Guard and tell them that they have sighted the Zimwi. Kion doubts their claims, but Timon explains that his mother's cousin's friend had known an ox who was eaten by the Zimwi. The young animals wonder what they should do, and Kion asserts that he and his team will sniff out the Zimwi in order to keep the Pride Lands safe.
Together, Ono and the Lion Guard set off in search of the Zimwi. Along the way, they debate whether the Zimwi is real or not, with Kion retaining his disbelief that such a creature could exist. The Lion Guard's search continues, during which they run into a panicked Thurston. Bunga assumes that Thurston is running from the Zimwi, but Thurston states that the Zimwi is nothing more than a story and explains that he had been spooked by the genets. The very thought of the genets spins him into a panic, and he takes off again into the forest.
Ono and the team move on, but along the way, they are frightened by Beshte's continued bellowing practice. Kion reminds the team that there is still no sign of the Zimwi, and Ono jokingly comments that he doesn't know who is scarier: Beshte or the Zimwi.
As the hunt persists, Kion pauses and remarks that he feels like something is watching them from the bushes. He orders his team to fan out, and once they have the underbrush surrounded, he yells for them to move in. His shout frightens some gazelles who are sheltering in the bushes, and they beg the Lion Guard not to hurt them, for they had simply been hiding. Beshte asks what they had been hiding from, and the gazelles reply that they had spotted the Zimwi and taken shelter in the vegetation.
The gazelles point out a shadow against a nearby ravine, and Ono and the Lion Guard see the outline of a tall, spiked figure. Bravely, the team strides into the gorge, where they come face-to-face with what appears to be the Zimwi. In a panic, they flee the ravine and startle the gazelles, who begin to gallop about the clearing. Kion instructs Beshte to flatten a patch of bushes to allow escape from the glen, and the gazelles pour out into the open, where they run about without threat of hurting themselves.
With the gazelles safe, Kion expresses shame for having run from the Zimwi. He reminds his friends that they are the Lion Guard and cannot run away, to which Ono and the others brace themselves for the coming confrontation with the Zimwi.
As one, the Lion Guard faces off against the Zimwi. To their horror, the Zimwi's head falls off its body and splits into two, revealing two young porcupines. A shocked Kion asks if the porcupines had been hiding from the Zimwi, and the rest of the team pieces together that Mtoto and his friends had seen the two porcupines huddling together and mistaken them for the Zimwi. Ono adds that the Zimwi's "body" had been nothing more than a giant termite mound.
The next day, Ono and the Guard watch as Beshte auditions for and successfully joins the Bellow Fellows.
===="Lions of the Outlands"====
In the Lair of the Lion Guard, Ono races against Fuli. Bunga arrives with a message, but is distracted by the race. After Fuli takes the victory, Ono wonders how he can fly faster next time. Fuli beats Ono in another race through the Lair of the Lion Guard, and Ono refuses to race her again. Bunga asks Beshte and Rafiki if they will race Fuli instead, but they both refuse. Just then, Rafiki notices that Kion is missing, and Bunga explains that Kion has gone into the Outlands with Jasiri to help deal with a pride of lions.
Hearing this, Rafiki reacts in horror and informs Ono and the Lion Guard that Kion has encountered the Outsiders. He takes them to a wall of paintings and explains that Simba had banished the Outsiders to the Outlands after they had retained loyalties to Scar, Simba's evil uncle. Zira had insisted that her son, Kovu, be king since he was Scar's chosen heir, but Simba had asserted that Scar was not the true king. 
The two had engaged in a battle, and Simba had banished Zira and her followers to the Outlands after a crushing defeat. Rafiki warns the Lion Guard that there will be trouble if Zira finds out that Kion is Simba's son, and the team takes off to save their friend.
Once in the Outlands, Ono and the Lion Guard encounter Jasiri, who informs them that Kion has joined forces with Zira and her family. A shocked Lion Guard insists that Kion would never be a part of Zira's family, and Jasiri berates herself for having believed Zira's lies.
Meanwhile, Kion has been surrounded by Zira's lackeys, but just then, he catches sight of Ono hovering over the pit. Filled with renewed confidence, Kion yells out the start of the Lion Guard's catchphrase, which is completed by his team as they rush into the pit. Together, the Lion Guard and Jasiri fend off the Outsiders and corner them against a wall of the pit.
Bunga urges Kion to use his Roar, but Kion worries that he will lose the Roar as Scar did for using it against other lions. Despite Kion's fears, Bunga insists that Scar did not lose his Roar because he used it against other lions, but because he used it for evil. Kion tells Zira that she is not welcome in the Pride Lands so long as he is around. He then uses the Roar of the Elders to blast the Outsiders away.
===="Never Roar Again"====
When Janja and his clan invade the Pride Lands, Ono and the Lion Guard drive them back into the Outlands. However, once the Lion Guard departs, Janja leads his clan back into the kingdom, and the Lion Guard rushes back to stop them. Before the team can reach the hyenas, the clan runs into Kion's mother, Nala.
Janja surrounds her with his cronies and orders an attack. Just then, Kion arrives and, seeing his mother in danger, uses the Roar of the Elders in a rage. The blast is so powerful that it rebounds off a cliff and fractures the earth beneath Nala. As Nala struggles to keep from falling into the divide, Kion reaches down the cliff and pulls her to safety.
The rest of the Lion Guard approaches and affirms that they are all right, including Ono, who arrives with his crest feathers gone. Kion expresses shock that his rage had brought on such destruction.
Back at the Lair of the Lion Guard, the rest of the Lion Guard tries to comfort Ono for having lost his crest feathers. In an attempt to cheer Ono up, Bunga sings "Stand Up, Stand Out". Kion, however, does not participate and instead takes to looking at Rafiki's paintings of Scar, who had abused the Roar of the Elders.
Just then, Zazu flies into the Lair and delivers news that a rock slide has blocked up the giraffes' access to their water hole. The Lion Guard sets out to clear the wreckage, but Ono is reluctant to go until Zazu forces him out of the cave. Once at the blockage, Bunga suggests that Kion use his Roar to clear the rocks, but Kion insists that Beshte use his strength instead.
Shortly after the rescue, the Lion Guard encounters a klipspringer trapped on a rock in the midst of a raging river. Once again, Bunga tells Kion to use the Roar to solve the problem, but Kion insists that they use a different plan. He commands Beshte to knock over a dead tree and starts to cross to save the klipspringer. However, as he is walking across the log, the wood snaps beneath him, and he nearly falls into the river. Ono and the rest of the Lion Guard try to save him, but their combined weight breaks the log, and the team falls into the river with a splash. Startled, the klipspringer hops safely to shore, and the Lion Guard rejoices in their victory.
As the team recovers on the shore, egrets from Ono's flock approach and ask Ono why he is "bald on both ends." Horrified, Ono realizes that a piece of stray wood had knocked off his tail feathers.
As they depart, Makuu the crocodile resolves to take over the entire Flood Plains. A mongoose who had been chased away happens to run past Fuli, who resolves to save the Flood Plains with the rest of her team. She hastens to the Lair of the Lion Guard, where Bunga has fashioned a headdress of flowers for Ono, and she relates what had happened to the Pride Landers. While Ono flies off to fetch Kion, the rest of the team departs to save the Flood Plains.
Ono approaches Kion and Nala with news that Makuu has taken over the Flood Plains. Together, Kion, Nala, and Ono hasten to the scene of the crime, where Kion and Nala command Makuu to share the Flood Plains with the other Pride Landers. In answer, two of Makuu's cronies knock Nala into the water and carry her into the midst of the float, prompting Kion to nearly use the Roar in his fury. Before he can wreak havoc on the Flood Plains, he stops himself from roaring, and Nala calls for him to trust himself.
Heeding his mother's advice, Kion uses the Roar to specifically target Makuu's float and keep Nala from being harmed. With the crocodiles defeated, the team praises Kion for his efforts. Ono interrupts the team and exclaims excitedly that his crest feathers have begun to grow back. No sooner has he said this when the other egrets in his flock show off their missing head and tail feathers, and Beshte comments that Ono has started a trend.
===="The Lost Gorillas"====
When Zazu gets his bill stuck in a beehive, Bunga climbs into the tree to free him. After the rescue, Zazu thanks the Lion Guard for their help and informs them that the pangolins have been spraying excessively elsewhere in the Pride Lands. Ono and the Lion Guard depart to deal with the problem.
Once the Lion Guard arrives, they find two young gorillas holding the pangolins hostage and using them to spray each other with the pangolins' stink. Furious, Kion tackles them, enabling the pangolins to escape, and refuses to let them up until they promise not to hurt the pangolins again. After the gorillas vow to leave the pangolins alone, Kion lets them up and demands to know who they are. The two introduce themselves as brothers Hafifu and Majinuni, and tell Kion that they're looking for a lion named "King Zimba." Bunga informs the gorillas that Kion is Simba's son, and the brothers react with shock that Kion is a prince. They then excitedly declare that they are princes as well.
Kion is confused, so Majinuni explains that they are here to deliver a message from their father, King Sokwe. Ono and the Lion Guard lead Hafifu and Majinuni to Pride Rock, where Kion relates the situation to his father, Simba. To Kion's surprise, Simba explains that every wet season, King Sokwe informs Simba if their two kinds are still at peace or not.
Just then, the brothers come before Simba, but when prompted to relay their message, they admit that they have forgotten it. With this news, Simba is forced to ask Kion to deliver the gorillas back home and find out what Sokwe's message is. Simba points out that peace with the gorillas should not rely on Hafifu and Majinuni.
Together, the Lion Guard and the gorilla princes set off on their journey to the Theluji Mountains, where King Sokwe and his troop live. Once they reach the base of the mountain range, Kion asks Hafifu and Majinuni how to reach their father, but the brothers admit that they have only come down their mountain once: to deliver Sokwe's message to Simba.
Kion looks instead to Ono for guidance, and he leads them down a path through the trees at the base of the mountains. As the group travels deeper into the woods, Kion questions the gorillas once more on where they should go, but they remain as unhelpful as before. Just then, Beshte spots a chameleon, which prompts Hafifu and Majinuni to launch into a game of "chameleon hide-and-seek," in which they take off into the forest.
The Lion Guard attempts to locate the gorillas, but when their efforts prove unsuccessful, they decide to follow the sound of the brothers' voices. However, the gorillas deliberately circle around the Lion Guard, until Kion realizes their game and yells that the game isn't working. Hafifu and Majinuni decide to change the game to "forest hog chase," in which the Lion Guard has to chase the gorillas as they snort like forest hogs.
With the Lion Guard in pursuit, the gorillas race away into the fog, where they encounter a real forest hog. The Lion Guard rushes to save the brothers, and Kion tackles the forest hog just before it can harm Hafifu and Majinuni. The team realizes that Hafifu and Majinuni are deliberately prolonging the journey and confront the gorillas over the matter. The brothers admit that they had originally agreed to deliver the message in order to prove to their father that they are good prince material, but now that they've failed, they don't want to disappoint him. Kion admits that he sometimes feels the same way about his father, and encourages the brothers to act like princes so that they feel like princes.
The journey continues, and the Lion Guard arrives at the foot of the Theluji Mountains. To their shock, they see the landscape covered in snow, a substance that they have never encountered before. Hafifu and Majinuni encourage the Lion Guard to play with them, and Kion allows the team a brief break in the snow.
Just then, Kion slips on a steep patch of ice and begins to slide down the mountain toward a perilous drop-off. Just before he can fall off, he manages to grapple the edge of the cliff with his claws, and the gorillas pull him to safety. After the rescue, Kion thanks them for saving his life and tells them that their bravery makes for good prince material.
The group continues on their journey until they meet the brothers' father, King Sokwe. Though Sokwe initially appears to be displeased, he suddenly throws snow over his sons' heads and exclaims, "Kuishi ni kucheka!" He then compliments the two for their bravery in saving Kion's life and tells them that they are true gorilla princes. Kion interjects to ask about Sokwe's message for Simba, but Sokwe instead focuses on the snow ball that Bunga has collected for his uncle. Kion wonders if the souvenir is a problem, to which Sokwe replies that the snow ball is perfect.
When the Lion Guard returns to the Pride Lands, they report back to Simba at Pride Rock. Simba prompts the Lion Guard to relate Sokwe's message, to which Kion says, "Kuishi ni kucheka," as Bunga throws a snow ball over Simba's head. Simba laughs and comments that no one delivers a peace message quite like King Sokwe.
===="The Trail to Udugu"====
In the Lair of the Lion Guard, Kion informs his team of Simba's intention to lead them while Kion goes on a short trip. He then bids them goodbye and leaves them to wait for Simba. Though Ono begins to anxiously preen and fret over the state of the Lair, Bunga assures him that he has nothing to worry about, and sings "When You're Running With the King", in which he explains what Simba is like.
Simba happens to overhear the song and informs Bunga that he is excited to lead the Lion Guard. Simba then gathers the Lion Guard for their morning patrol and leads them out of the Lair. Along the way, the Guard tries to correct him on his route, but Simba insists that they take his chosen path. Though hesitant, the Guard agrees to the king's wishes, and the team veers off in a new direction.
Presently, Ono spots a mudslide heading toward a nest of ostrich eggs, but he is cut off in his report by Simba, who finishes the report for him. He then instructs the Guard to follow him while he moves a log in the way of the falling mud. Though confused, the team follows him, and Simba orders them to jump from rock to rock in order to avoid getting caught in the mud.
Beshte does as Simba commands, but accidentally slips on the rocks and falls into the mud, carrying Bunga, Fuli, and Ono with him. The four tumble down the slope and dislodge Simba's log, causing it to roll toward the ostriches' nest. Before the log can reach the bottom of the slope, Beshte leaps forward and stops it from crushing the eggs, but Ono warns that the eggs will now be caught up in the mud. Sure enough, the eggs are swept away by the mud, and the Lion Guard rushes to save them. They return the eggs to the ostriches, who thank them for their help.
In the Pride Lands, Simba expresses elation at the Guard's first rescue with the king and wonders what their next challenge will be. Just then, Ono flies up and starts to report trouble when he is interrupted by Simba, who declares that a herd of gazelles need their help. The Lion Guard then follows his lead down the slope to rescue the gazelles.
Ono reports that the gazelles are trying to reach a patch of grass above an unstable pile of rocks. Simba comments that the rocks will fall if the gazelles try to ascend them and then shouts for the Lion Guard to follow him.
The team streaks across the plains toward the gazelles, who shy away at the Guard's rapid advance. The herd begins to climb the rock pile, dislodging stones, and Ono yells for the Lion Guard to halt their approach. Simba, however, continues to run and gets his tail stuck underneath a massive boulder. The rest of the Lion Guard gathers around him, and Simba assures them that he is uninjured.
The Lion Guard overhears ostriches crying out in fear, and Ono reports that the gazelles are stampeding toward the ostriches' nest. The Lion Guard turns to Simba for instructions, and he orders them to leave him behind and save the ostrich eggs instead. Just then, a large boulder tumbles down from the top of the rock pile, and Fuli saves Bunga from being crushed.
After the rescue, Fuli declares that they cannot leave Simba, for he is in danger from the falling rocks. Simba gets the Guard's attention and tells them that he has been ordering them around all day when he should have figured out how their team works. He then asks what they would do if Kion were in Simba's place, and Fuli explains that she and Ono would go after the herd, while Beshte and Bunga would stay behind to assist the king. Simba submits to these orders and starts the Lion Guard's chant as the team races away to fulfill their separate duties.
Together, Fuli and Ono catch up to the gazelles, and Fuli orders Ono to speak with Swala, the leader of the gazelles, while she calms the ostriches. Both members are successful, and the gazelles pull to a halt before they can trample the ostrich eggs. At the same time, Beshte and Bunga work together to free Simba. No sooner have they freed him when the rock pile begins to collapse, and the three escape to safety, where they reunite with Fuli and Ono. Simba compliments the Lion Guard on their success and declares that Kion would be proud of them.
===="Ono's Idol"====
Mtoto the elephant is playing with his friends when a massive flock of birds flies overhead. The Lion Guard decides to scout out the situation. From a nearby ridge, they spy the birds gathering in a clearing, but before they can investigate, Ono calls them over to a spot at the front. He explains that the birds have gathered for the return of Hadithi, the legendary eagle, who is famous for his "Hadithi Spin."
Just then, Hadithi arrives to much cheering from the gathered birds. A raven calls for Hadithi to say something wise, and he replies with, "The higher you fly, the more they'll look up to you." Though Ono is awed, the rest of the Lion Guard is unimpressed. Bunga decides to ask Hadithi about his famous spin, but Ono blocks his path, insisting that no one can simply talk to Hadithi. He then begins to list off Hadithi's accomplishments to Bunga, which prompts Hadithi himself to chime in with another example.
Hadithi comments that Ono seems to know a lot about him, to which a shocked Ono agrees and declares that he is Hadithi's biggest fan. Hadithi admires Ono's devotion, but points out that he has many adoring fans. He then launches into the musical sequence "Hadithi the Hero", in which he boasts about his past accomplishments and how popular he is among the Pride Landers.
After the song, Simba and Nala arrive and inform Hadithi that he is a hero to many animals in the Pride Lands, not just birds. Simba then announces to the crowd that Hadithi is a selfless hero who never abandons an animal in need, and invites Hadithi to attend a Royal Mud Print ceremony. Bunga wonders what this ceremony is, and Ono explains that Hadithi will press his talons into mud and have his prints forever preserved alongside those of other heroes.
Simba continues that it is tradition for the hero to mentor a younger member of the Pride Lands. Kion nominates Ono to the position, and Simba accepts the suggestion. With business concluded, he and Nala begin to depart, but Hadithi stops them and requests that a ceremonial nest be built in his honor. Ono volunteers the Lion Guard to perform the service, and Kion assents.
After Simba and Nala leave, Hadithi thanks the Lion Guard for accepting the job and tells them to build his nest using leaves from the highest tree in the Pride Lands, as per tradition. Fuli expresses irritation at this latest request, but Ono defends his mentor by pointing out that the fronds at the top of the trees are the softest. The Lion Guard then relents and takes off to perform their latest duty.
Later, Hadithi preaches to a crowd of Pride Landers and repeats his earlier words of wisdom. Though the birds are impressed, an elephant named Zito points out that elephants cannot fly. Ono explains that Hadithi is trying to say that all animals have challenges in their lives that require them to rise above themselves.
Hadithi finishes delivering another speech, and Ono steps up to handle crowd control. Hadithi watches, impressed, and tells Ono that he is a natural. In awe, Ono requests that he be taught the Hadithi Spin, but Hadithi refuses promptly, claiming that he does not wish to ruffle his feathers before the Royal Mud Print ceremony. However, he volunteers to watch Ono attempt the trick and correct him if he is wrong. Though nervous, Ono attempts the spin, but ends up crashing into the ground. He admits that he had forgotten to compensate for the wind, but Hadithi comments that the wind has always compensated for him. However, he encourages Ono to try again, and Ono boldly declares that he will get it right this time.
Ono continues to attempt the Hadithi Spin and manages to work himself up to two and a half loops. He excitedly relates his progress to Hadithi, but gets deflated when he realizes that his mentor had not even been watching. Hadithi explains that he must look his best for the ceremony, then tells Ono that he doubts the egret will ever be able to achieve the spin.
As Hadithi takes off for the ceremony, Ono follows him and protests that Hadithi had called him a natural earlier. Hadithi explains that he had meant Ono was a natural with the crowd and that he gives the animals exactly what they want to hear. Ono protests that he is simply being honest, to which Hadithi scoffs. The two continue flying, and Ono spots a group of klipspringers being trapped on the edge of a cliff by Janja and his minions, Cheezi and Chungu. He suggests that they use the Hadithi Spin to thwart the hyenas, but Hadithi argues that Ono is not ready for such a feat. He then takes off for the ceremony, leaving Ono behind to deal with the crisis.
Ono attempts to stop the hyenas using the Hadithi Spin, but falls and gets his wing trapped beneath a boulder. Cheezi and Chungu hungrily climb up the cliffs to reach him, while Janja rounds up the trapped klipspringers.
At Pride Rock, Hadithi becomes so overrun with guilt that he confesses his cowardice to the crowd and admits that Ono is the true hero. He then calls the Lion Guard to follow him and help rescue Ono. Once at the scene of the crisis, Fuli fends off Cheezi and Chungu, and starts to help Ono free his wing, but Ono urges her to save the klipspringers first. Fuli relents and takes off, just as Hadithi lands next to Ono. He praises Ono for his selflessness, even in the face of being trapped, and admits that he could learn much from Ono's example.
As Hadithi pries the boulder off Ono's wing, he apologizes for having abandoned Ono to the hyenas and admits that he is not a true hero. He then confesses that the Hadithi Spin is not real, to which Ono states that he had figured this was the case. However, he boldly declares that they can still try the Hadithi Spin and calls for Hadithi to follow him.
Meanwhile, Bunga and Kion confront Janja, while Beshte pushes a boulder down for the klipspringers to use as an escape. As Fuli guides the klipspringers to safety, one slips and falls, prompting Janja and his minions to spring an attack. Just in time, Ono and Hadithi fly past and begin to circle the hyenas, making them dizzy. Eventually, they topple off the cliffs and land in the water below.
That night, Ono marks the mud at Pride Rock with his own talons, and Hadithi admits that it had been Ono who had taught him, not the other way around. He then calls Ono a natural hero, and the gathered Pride Landers cheer for him. To conclude the ceremony, Hadithi announces Ono as the creator of the Ono Spin.
===="Beshte and the Hippo Lanes"====
After a big rainstorm, Basi and his son Beshte forge across the Flood Plains, creating paths called "hippo lanes." Just then, Basi and Beshte hear a young rhino crying for help. They arrive in time to rescue him from Makuu and his float. With Makuu gone, Basi and Beshte work to free the young rhino from the reeds. In the midst of the rescue, the young rhino accidentally spears Basi with his horn.
After the Lion Guard delivers an injured Basi to safety, Ono arrives with news that a herd of sable antelope are refusing to leave their grazing grounds, even though another storm is on the way. Basi suggests that they lead the antelope to the other side of the Flood Plains, but Ono wonders how they will be able to cross the reeds. Basi reminds him that by the time the antelope arrive at the Flood Plains, Beshte will be done creating hippo lanes. The Lion Guard thanks him for the idea and then leaves to save the herd.
Ono leads the Lion Guard to the sable antelope's grazing ground. Kion is quick to order the antelope out of their grazing ground, but their leader, Bupu, points out that they do not wish to leave. Fuli and Ono encourage the herd to leave before the rainstorm comes, but to no avail. In a last ditch effort, Kion informs the antelope that there will be more food away from their drowned grazing ground. Bupu relents, and the herd follows after the Lion Guard.
On the way out of the grazing ground, Ono spots a rock slide, and Kion yells for the herd to stay back. Too late, the rocks fall, separating the Lion Guard from their charges. Kion worries over the herd's condition, but Ono reassures him that none of the antelope are injured. He then warns Kion that there is no other way around the rocks and that the storm is closing in fast.
Bunga points out that Kion can still use the Roar of the Elders to blow the rocks away. Kion agrees to the idea and climbs to the other side of the rocks in order to avoid harming the antelope. Kion uses the Roar of the Elders to clear the boulders, but even after the path is clear, the antelope continue to stay put. With some harsh insistence from Fuli, Bupu and his herd reluctantly follow after the Lion Guard until the group reaches the edge of the Flood Plains. There, Ono spots Beshte's hippo lanes and reacts with confusion and shock.
As Beshte approaches, Ono questions him on the completion of the hippo lanes, and Beshte explains that he has been crossing the Flood Plains all day, delivering animals from one side to the other. Ono then leads Beshte to a high vantage point where he can see the entire Flood Plains, and Beshte realizes that he has been cutting twisty paths throughout the area.
A horrified Beshte realizes that his hippo lanes are not useful at all. His distress deepens when Ono notifies him that a herd of sable antelope is waiting to cross to the other side of the Flood Plains. Beshte hurriedly rushes back to the water and resolves to make a new hippo lane. However, as he starts to make a new lane, Ono warns him that he is making another windy trail, and Beshte begins to despair. He then realizes that he can ask his father for help, and he takes off to speak with Basi, while Ono leaves to warn Kion of the situation.
On the other side of the Flood Plains, the Lion Guard leads the antelope to the edge of the water, where Boboka and her son enter one of Beshte's hippo lanes. No sooner have they started to cross the Flood Plains when Ono arrives, forbidding the herd to enter the hippo lanes. Bunga tells Ono that Boboka and her son have already entered the Flood Plains, and Ono panics that they will get lost in the reeds.
Kion quickly takes charge of the situation, entering the hippo lanes with Ono, while Bunga and Fuli stay behind with the rest of the herd.
Ono leads Kion to Boboka's son, who is struggling to stay afloat in the rising water. Kion pushes the calf to safety and questions him on the location of his mother. No sooner has he spoken when the three hear Boboka call for help, and Kion sets off to rescue her, leaving Ono to lead the calf to safety.
Back at the edge of the water, Bupu sinks to his knees, prompting the rest of his herd to do the same. Furious, Fuli shoves Bupu from behind and orders him to stand up. As she does so, Ono arrives, incredulous at Fuli's actions, and she exclaims that she is simply trying to make the antelope stand.
At that moment, Beshte arrives, much to the excitement of his teammates. Ono monitors Beshte's progress and marvels at the perfectly straight and true hippo lane that has been created. Bunga then announces to the herd that they can cross the Flood Plains safely.
Later, Basi and Beshte overlook Bupu's herd grazing on the other side of the water. Kion arrives and compliments the hippos. Ono then tells Beshte that he is good at making hippo lanes after all.
===="Ono the Tickbird"====
The Lion Guard follows a trail of devastated trees to where Kifaru the rhinoceros has his horn stuck in the baboons' tree. The Lion Guard recognizes him as a well-tempered Pride Lander and wonders why he is acting so destructively. Together, they approach Kifaru, and Kion orders the rhino to stop shaking the baboons' tree.
At first, Kifaru is defensive, but he softens at the appearance of Beshte, who calms him long enough for the Lion Guard to free his horn from the tree. Once unstuck, Kifaru thanks the team for their help, and Kion questions him as to why he had caused so much destruction. Kifaru reacts obliviously, and the Lion Guard explains that he had shaken the baboons out of their tree and trampled every tree in his path.
Bewildered, Kifaru admits that he had wondered why there were so many trees on the path to Lake Matope. He then ambles off, and the Lion Guard realizes that he is heading straight for another tree. Ono shouts that Kifaru doesn't know where he's going because he doesn't have his tickbird, and darts in front of the rhino, warning him to keep back.
Ono asks Kifaru where his tickbird is, and Kifaru admits that his tickbird, Mwenzi, had left him earlier that morning. Though the Lion Guard is confused, Ono explains that rhinos have poor eyesight and use tickbirds to help with navigation. In exchange, the tickbirds eat the ticks off the rhinos' backs.
After the song, Kifaru laments being unable to reach Tamasha, an event in which rhinos gather near Lake Matope to spar together in the mud. The Lion Guard is touched by his sorrow, and Kion resolves to find Mwenzi for Kifaru. Bunga volunteers to lead Kifaru to Lake Matope so that he arrives in time to participate in Tamasha, and Kifaru hesitantly accepts.
However, as he is leading Kifaru, Bunga becomes so distracted by eating ticks that he fails to notice a cliff in their path. Just in time, Ono steps in to halt Kifaru, impressing the rest of the Lion Guard. Ono explains that birds and rhinos have a special connection, and Kion suggests that he become Kifaru's temporary tickbird. In the meantime, they will search for Mwenzi and convince him to return to Kifaru. Ono protests the appointment, but gives in when Kion reminds him that helping Kifaru will keep the Pride Lands safe.
As the Lion Guard takes off in search of Mwenzi, Ono begins to guide Kifaru toward Lake Matope. He tells Kifaru to take a right turn, but the rhino instead takes a left turn, which prompts Ono to frantically correct him. The two continue on their journey, and Kifaru begins to grunt and snort loudly, much to the irritation of Ono. Eventually, Ono tells Kifaru to turn right, but the rhino once more veers to the left, and Ono shouts at him to take the right direction.
An upset Kifaru comments that Mwenzi had never shouted at him. He then grows so emotional that he walks away, sobbing, and Ono is forced to apologize to him. Kifaru then asks Ono if he will itch inside his ear, and Ono agrees, though he completes the job half-heartedly. Kifaru remarks that Mwenzi would never stop itching until he had been instructed to, but Ono reminds him that he is not Mwenzi.
Kifaru agrees sorrowfully, then belches loudly, to which Ono mutters under his breath that he hopes the Lion Guard will find Mwenzi soon. Kifaru overhears him and chastises him for muttering under his breath, which Mwenzi had never done.
Ono brings jackalberry leaves to Kifaru, but the rhino complains that he only likes dark green jackalberry leaves. He then compares Ono to Mwenzi, which infuriates Ono. After a moment of cold silence, Kifaru tells Ono that he should thank him, for if Ono had not been so bad at being a tickbird, Kifaru would never have realized how good a tickbird Mwenzi is.
Kifaru starts to amble off, but collapses on the ground, panting. He comments that the constant walking has gotten him overheated and adds that Mwenzi would always make sure to keep them near a source of mud while they were traveling. Thinking quickly, Ono begins to use his wings as a fan, much to Kifaru's delight. Kifaru comments that Mwenzi is too small to be able to use his wings as a fan, and Ono wonders if Kifaru has finally found something that Ono is better at than Mwenzi. Kifaru agrees, not knowing that Mwenzi and the Lion Guard are listening from nearby.
Mwenzi angrily accuses the Lion Guard of misleading him and confronts Kifaru in a fury. Though Kifaru begs him to stay, Mwenzi flies off across the savanna, and Kifaru calls after him despairingly. He then states that Ono must serve as his tickbird from now on, and Ono takes off after Mwenzi, leaving Kifaru in the care of the Lion Guard.
Mwenzi alights near a swamp, and Ono warns him that Makuu and his float frequent the area. Despite Ono's warning, Mwenzi refuses to trust him and accuses him of taking his place in Kifaru's life. Ono protests that throughout their time together, Kifaru had done nothing but complain about Ono and compare him to Mwenzi. Ono then questions Mwenzi on how he had gotten Kifaru to make a right turn, and Mwenzi explains that he had simply told Kifaru to make three left turns.
Slowly, Mwenzi begins to warm up to Ono and thinks back wistfully on his time with Kifaru. Mwenzi agrees to reconcile with Kifaru, but just then, Makuu attacks, hurting Mwenzi's wing and knocking him into the branches of a tree. Ono manages to save him from Makuu, but leaves to fetch the Lion Guard for help.
In the meantime, the Lion Guard manages to lead Kifaru to Tamasha, but before he can take part in the activities, Ono arrives with news that Mwenzi is in trouble. In a panic, Kifaru takes off to save his friend. The Lion Guard follows, and fights Makuu off. During the commotion, Mwenzi hops down from his tree and instructs Kifaru on how to free himself from the tree stump. Once free, Kifaru uses the tree stump as a weapon and helps free the other Lion Guard members from their entanglements.
After the fight, Kion thanks Kifaru and Mwenzi for their help, and the two attribute their victory to each other. Kifaru informs Ono that he does not need him to serve as a tickbird anymore, and Ono happily obliges.
Back at Tamasha, the Lion Guard watches contentedly, and Bunga asks Ono if he will serve as his tickbird. Ono reassures Bunga that they will always be friends, but asserts that his days as a tickbird are over.
===="Babysitter Bunga"====
Reirei and her family plot to attack a herd of zebras. Nearby, Kion picks up the pack's scent, and the Lion Guard rushes to rescue the zebras from their attackers. Too late, the pack strikes, and Reirei's children, Dogo and Kijana, manage to isolate a young zebra named Hamu from the rest of the herd. Ono spots the double attack, and Kion orders Bunga and Ono to save Hamu while he, Beshte, and Fuli rescue the remainder of the herd.
Meanwhile, Kijana hides in the brush while Dogo tricks Hamu into stopping for a game of tag. Just in time, Ono warns Hamu of the trap, and Bunga tackles Kijana to the ground. At the same time, Kion stops Reirei from harming the rest of the herd. Kion exiles her back to the Outlands, and the jackals take off for home.
With the danger abated, the Lion Guard moves to depart, but Muhimu begs them to stay and watch over the herd. Muhimu reminds them that she has her son to attend to. Just then, she notices Bunga playing with Hamu and suggests that he take care of her son for the day. Bunga agrees to the task, much to Muhimu's relief.
Later that day, Ono expresses his worry to Kion that their team will be at a disadvantage due to Bunga's absence, as Bunga is their best climber. This worries Kion, who decides that the team should practice climbing while Bunga is away. He orders Fuli to climb a pillar of rock in the Lair of the Lion Guard, but she fails to reach the top, much to Beshte and Ono's amusement. Ono makes an attempt next, but proves too small to lift the boulder at the top of the pillar. Finally, Beshte tries, but rolls down the pillar and lands unceremoniously on top of Ono.
Once back in the Pride Lands, Reirei and her pack overhear Muhimu and Twiga discussing Bunga's babysitting duties at Hakuna Matata Falls. Reirei decides to attack the little ones while they're separated from their parents, and orders Goigoi to think up a way to distract the Lion Guard and keep them away from the falls.
Once separated from Reirei, Goigoi overhears the Lion Guard heading to Hakuna Matata Falls, and he frantically tries to come up with a plan. In the midst of his panic, he accidentally steps on his own tail and howls in pain, alerting the Lion Guard to his presence. The team takes chase, but in the midst of his escape, Goigoi accidentally falls halfway into a pit, and the Lion Guard gathers around him.
When questioned, Goigoi claims that he had been chasing an antelope, but Ono assures Kion that there had been no other animals in the area around Goigoi. Kion offers to help him out of the hole if he reveals where Reirei and the rest of his family are. Goigoi begrudgingly agrees and tells the Lion Guard that his family is at Hakuna Matata Falls. Fearing for Bunga and Hamu's safety, the Lion Guard charges off to rescue them.
Meanwhile, Bunga and his charges defeat the jackal pack. The Lion Guard arrives and stares in consternation at the defeated jackals and the triumphant young animals. Reirei pipes up, complaining to Kion that she and her children have been severely abused, but Kion only agrees to let her go if she promises to never harm another young Pride Lander. Reirei delivers her promise, and the jackals take off for the Outlands once more.
===="The Savannah Summit"====
The Lion Guard is playing Baobab Ball when a dry ledge collapses underneath Kion and Bunga. The other members of the Guard rush forward and make sure their friends are all right. Kion assures them that they are fine, and Ono comments that the ledge is rather dry.
Just then, Mtoto the young elephant approaches with the Lion Guard's baobab fruit. Bunga starts to chase Mtoto when the young elephant suddenly pulls to a halt, listening intently. He informs the Lion Guard that his mother is communicating with him, and Ono explains that elephants can communicate using infrasound, a low pitch that only some animals are able to hear. Mtoto then informs them that several important Pride Landers are heading toward Pride Rock.
Kion realizes that it is time for the Savannah Summit, an important yearly event. No sooner has he revealed this when Mtoto overhears a crocodile heading to Pride Rock, and Ono spots Makuu en route to the Summit. Kion deduces that Makuu must be trying to spoil the event, and he and the Lion Guard take off to thwart the danger and warn Simba.
Once at Pride Rock, Kion tackles Makuu. Makuu protests that he had been invited, and Simba confirms to Kion that he had invited Makuu to Pride Rock himself. With Simba's support, Makuu promises to take his duties seriously, much to the discomfort of the other Pride Lander leaders.
Together, the party proceeds to Mizimu Grove, with Simba and Zazu singing "Welcome to the Summit".
Once at Mizimu Grove, the Lion Guard comments on how well the animals are behaving, though Kion remains unconvinced of Makuu's reformation. As they speak, the Lion Guard notices that Makuu is missing from the event, and Mtoto runs up with news that Makuu is speaking angrily near the watering hole. The Lion Guard takes off to stop the danger and arrives on the scene to find Makuu arguing with Bupu, the antelope leader.
Without asking for an explanation, Kion orders Makuu to back off. Despite the Lion Guard's presence, Bupu attacks Makuu, who attempts to defend himself until Kion chastises him again, claiming that he will not let anyone ruin the Savannah Summit. Though Makuu is bothered by Kion's bias, he backs off in an attempt to not start trouble.
After the fight, Kion admits his doubts to the team about Makuu's intentions and asserts that every member of the Lion Guard must be braced for trouble.
While patrolling the Pride Lands for trouble, Mtoto overhears Twiga speaking about Makuu, and he informs the Lion Guard of what he has heard. Kion worries that Makuu will ruin the Summit. Together, the team takes off to protect Twiga, but when they arrive on the scene, Makuu is nowhere to be found, only Twiga and Vuruga Vuruga. Bunga proclaims that Mtoto had heard Makuu, but Mtoto clarifies that he had only heard Twiga speaking about Makuu. Twiga is quick to deny this assertion, and Vuruga Vuruga backs her up, with both acting suspiciously. The Lion Guard leaves, privately deducing that Twiga and Vuruga Vuruga are too afraid to tell the truth about Makuu because he had threatened them.
Just then, the team hears Zazu squawking for help, and they follow the noise to where Rafiki is attempting to paint a portrait of the baboon leader and Mbeya, who is sitting atop Zazu. The Lion Guard resolves the comical situation, but just then, Mtoto rushes up to the Lion Guard and proclaims that Makuu is yelling at Bupu again, this time at Pride Rock. 
The team rushes to Pride Rock, where Kion tackles Makuu to the ground. Simba approaches, furious, and exclaims that Bupu and Makuu had been about to come to an agreement about sleeping situations for their respective species. Makuu stalks off, enraged, with Simba calling after him desperately. Simba accuses Kion of having ruined the Summit, not Makuu. He then leaves to salvage what he can of the Summit at Mizimu Grove.
In the face of his father's criticisms, Kion seeks advice from his grandfather, Mufasa. After his talk with Mufasa, Kion is confronted by the Lion Guard, who informs him that Mtoto has heard of another attack involving Makuu. Though the involved parties are unknown, Bunga suspects Makuu. 
Kion warns his friends to not jump to conclusions and asks Mtoto to listen more closely to what is being said. Mtoto does as he is prompted and explains that someone is making a plan to strike just after sunset. Though the rest of the Lion Guard suspects Makuu of foul intentions, Kion thinks more deeply about the issue and realizes that it may be the other Pride Lander leaders who are at the root of the problem.
The team rushes to Mizimu Grove, where they save Makuu from falling into a pit full of rotten fruit. Makuu realizes that someone had set a trap for him, and Kion proclaims that he knows how to find out who is to blame.
Later that day, Kion announces to the Summit that Makuu had fallen into a pit and lost his life in the struggle. Twiga and Vuruga Vuruga exclaim that they had never intended for Makuu to get hurt, only to fall into a pit of rotten fruit. Just then, Makuu reveals himself and announces to the gathered animals that he had come to the Summit with the intention of helping his float and the Pride Lands, but had only received distrust and hostility. Makuu then prompts Simba to let the Summit go on.
===="The Traveling Baboon Show"====
While patrolling the Pride Lands, the Lion Guard notices several animals taking off in the same direction. They follow the commotion to where a large group of Pride Landers has gathered beneath a tree. Mbeya the rhinoceros explains that the animals have gathered to see a troop of performing baboons.
Just then, Mwevi and Mwizi the baboons leap out of the tree and begin performing impressive tricks for their spectators. Uroho soon joins them and formally introduces his troop as the Traveling Baboon Show. The group sings "The Traveling Baboon Show", in which they speak of their group's amazing feats and talents. During the song, they use Ono as one of their props, much to his annoyance.
After the show, the Lion Guard approaches Uroho and congratulates him on an entertaining show.
With the troop otherwise occupied, the Lion Guard returns to their patrol. Along the way, they hear Ma Tembo crying for help, and they follow her voice to where a tree has been completely stripped of its flowers and leaves. Ma Tembo declares that there is a food thief in the Pride Lands, and Bunga wonders what the big deal is. Ono explains that with the dry season on its way, some animals must eat extra in order to survive. The Lion Guard then resolves to find the thief and restore order to the Pride Lands.
Ma Tembo and the other Pride Landers depart, but the Lion Guard lingers to inspect the stripped tree. Ono flies to the topmost branches and declares that even the highest flowers and leaves have been taken, to which the other members of the Lion Guard make their best guesses as to which species could have pulled off such a feat.
Just then, the Lion Guard hears the Traveling Baboon Show making a clamor in the distance, and they decide to watch the show in order to see if the thief is in attendance. While the other Lion Guard members gather around the show, Ono patrols from the air and catches Mwevi and Mwizi stealing food from a tree while Uroho continues to run the show. The baboons realize that they have been caught and return to Uroho.
Ono attempts to tell Kion what he has discovered, but the baboons grab him from the audience and begin tossing him back and forth, effectively cutting off his report. Eventually, Ono is able to wrest himself free from the grip of the baboons, and he declares to the rest of the Lion Guard that the troop is guilty of stealing the Pride Lands' food. Kion commands Beshte to shake the troop's tree, which reveals the mounds of fruit and leaves that the baboons have been stealing.
In the face of their guilt, the troop flees, and the Lion Guard chases them across the Pride Lands. In the midst of the chase, the baboons scare a herd of antelope into scattering, and two of the antelope fall into a nearby river. The Lion Guard halts their chase in order to save the antelope, and the baboons manage to escape into the Outlands.
Later, the Lion Guard reflects on the Traveling Baboon Show and how the baboons had turned out to be thieves. In the midst of the conversation, Ono spots Mwevi and Mwizi being chased by Janja, and he reports what he has seen to Kion. Kion is loathe to get involved in another kingdom's problems, but Ono points out that the troop had only entered the Outlands because they had been being chased by the Lion Guard. Kion then decides to save the troop, and the Lion Guard takes off for the Outlands.
The team defeats Janja and his lackeys, and the baboons thank the Lion Guard for saving their lives. In repayment for their past crimes, the troop agrees to hand out food to the Pride Landers, who are grateful for the baboons' change of heart. As they hand out food, the baboons put on another show and use Ono as one of their props again.
===="Ono and the Egg"====
While on patrol, the Lion Guard witnesses a stampede of hyraxes. They wonder what the source of the stampede is and look up to see a harrier hawk circling overhead. Ono volunteers to talk to the intruder. Ono catches up to the hawk and tries to convince her to let the hyrax go. The hawk refuses, and Ono is forced to distract her long enough for her to run head-on into a cliff face. The hawk lets go of the hyrax, who falls to the savanna floor, and Ono rushes to save it despite its small weight. Just in time, Beshte appears beneath the struggling duo, and Ono drops the hyrax safely onto his friend's back.
After the rescue, Kion approaches the hawk and tells her that she must hunt in her own territory in order to uphold the Circle of Life. Though reluctant, the hawk agrees.
With the hawk gone, the Lion Guard congratulates Ono for his heroic rescue. Unbeknownst to the group, Kulinda the hammerkop watches in fascination and decides that Ono would make the perfect babysitter for her egg. Without consulting Ono, she carries her egg to Ono's nest and deposits it among the twigs.
Later that day, the Lion Guard leads Ono back to his nest and praises him for a hard day's work. Ono is about to settle down in his nest when he feels Kulinda's egg and realizes that a hammerkop has left an egg in his nest. He reacts with confusion, wondering why a hammerkop would abandon its egg, and Kion resolves to find the mother and clear up the confusion. 
Ono comments that the egg is close to hatching and requires someone to sit on it in order to keep it warm. Bunga volunteers to keep the egg warm, but Ono worries that he will be too rough with it and decides to sit on the egg himself.
Ono is sitting on the egg when it suddenly hatches beneath him. A baby hammerkop emerges and begins to imprint on Ono, much to his dismay. Presently, the baby hammerkop chases a bug out of Ono's nest, and Ono is forced to pursue her across the savanna.
Ono continues to chase after the baby hammerkop, who strays dangerously close to a raging river. Ono manages to save the infant just in time and proceeds to scold her for running away from him. He tries to convince her to return to the safety of his nest, but she indicates that she is too tired for the return journey. Giving in to her demands, Ono leads the baby hammerkop into some tall grass and falls asleep with her tucked underneath his wing.
Meanwhile, the Lion Guard arrives at Ono's nest, only to find it empty. Kulinda begins to frantically call for her baby, and the baby hammerkop follows her mother's cries to Ono's nest, where the two finally meet each other for the first time. Mother and daughter begin to imprint on one another, and Ono watches in delight, happy to see his charge safe once more.
After the imprint is complete, Kulinda thanks Ono for his help, and he warns her that baby hammerkops can get very distracted by insects. No sooner has he said this when he realizes that the baby hammerkop has gone missing again, and he and the rest of Lion Guard rush to save her from danger.
Ono scopes out the area for the baby hammerkop and spots her wandering near the river. Fuli attempts to save the baby hammerkop from danger, but arrives too late to stop her from falling into the raging water. With no time to lose, the Lion Guard and Kulinda pursue the baby hammerkop down the river, only to watch in horror as Mpishi, the hawk from before, grasps the baby in her talons and takes off for the safety of the skies.
Kulinda and Ono attempt to thwart Mpishi's plans, but Mpishi works together with Mwoga to keep the baby hammerkop from falling back into the Lion Guard's grasp. Bunga manages to knock Mwoga from the sky, but Mpishi only takes the baby hammerkop from him and swoops out of harm's way once more. 
As Ono watches Mpishi fly away, he works out how he and Kulinda can work together, and the two flank her from the front and the back, forcing her to drop the baby. Mpishi crashes unceremoniously to the ground, where she is surrounded by the Lion Guard and forced to return to her own territory.
After the rescue, Kulinda thanks Ono by naming her daughter "Ona" in his honor. The three then do the imprinting dance together, as Ono is now considered their family.
===="The Lion Guard: The Rise of Scar"====
In the Pride Lands, the dry season has started, and the Lion Guard is busier than ever. During their patrol, Ono informs his friends that Janja's clan is attacking Ma Tembo's herd. The Lion Guard arrives at the scene, and, sure enough, Janja and his crew are attacking the elephants. The Lion Guard is shocked that the hyenas would hunt elephants because of how dangerous it is.
Ono helps drive the hyenas away, and Ma Tembo explains that the hyenas had been desperate because of the dry season. She also tells them that she is trying to find a new water source for her herd. Concerned at how quickly the start of the dry season has caused things to get out of hand, Kion tells Ono to stay with the herd and goes off to consult with his grandfather, Mufasa.
After Kion speaks with Mufasa, Ono flies onto the scene and tells Kion that Janja and his crew are at it again. This time, they're attacking the baboons who have started following Ma Tembo's herd. The Lion Guard arrives, and Kion then blasts the hyenas away with the Roar of the Elders.
With the hyenas gone, the baboons reveal that they are following Ma Tembo to a new water source. Ma Tembo resumes her search for a new water source.
At the Lair of the Lion Guard, Ono looks on as Rafiki's new apprentice, Makini, asks Rafiki if there is a way to talk to Scar, and Rafiki explains that it depends on if the Great Lion is good or bad. The Great Lions of the Past are the lions that appear when Kion uses the Roar. However, the Evil Lions of the Past like Scar appear in fire if they are unleashed by the Roar and a bakora staff.
Later, Makini tells Ono and the Guard that hyenas have kidnapped Kiara and taken Makini's bakora staff. While the rest of the Guard rescues her, Janja tricks Kion by getting him to use the Roar out of anger, causing the volcano to erupt.
Back in the Pride Lands, Ono watches in pleasure as Ma Tembo finally finds a new water source.
===="Let Sleeping Crocs Lie"====
When a rock slide startles a herd of antelope into stampeding, the Lion Guard rushes to calm them down. From overhead, Ono spots a canyon into which the Lion Guard can chase the antelope, and Kion leads the Guard in herding the team into the canyon. Unbeknownst to the Lion Guard, Makuu and his float slumber underground and are awakened by the loud disturbance of the stampede.
The Lion Guard manages to calm the antelope, but Makuu and his float emerge from down below and explain that crocodiles cannot go back into hibernation after being woken up. A particularly vicious crocodile named Kiburi blames Ono for the dilemma and suggests dealing with him the "crocodile way." Makuu orders Kiburi to back down and then agrees to meet with Simba in order to discuss water rations for his float.
Makuu speaks with Simba on Pride Rock about the water situation. Ono is called forward to help spy out a new water hole for the crocodiles, but while overlooking the Pride Lands, he sees that Makuu's followers have invaded the water holes. Makuu insists that whoever is leading his float has defied a direct order from their leader. He tries to leave in order to settle the situation, but Simba orders him to let the Lion Guard deal with the problem instead. Makuu agrees, and Kion leads the Lion Guard to the rescue.
When Kion arrives, he engages Kiburi in a fight. In the midst of the brawl, Makuu arrives and chastises Kiburi for defying his orders. Simba then tasks the Lion Guard with leading the float to their new home.
The team does as they are told, escorting Makuu and his float to their own private water hole, but the water hole proves to be too crowded and uncomfortable for the crocodiles. Appalled at Makuu for being so willing to share with the other Pride Landers, Kiburi calls for a mashindano, and Makuu accepts.
At sunset, the Pride Landers gather at Lake Matope to watch the mashindano. As the crocodiles brawl, Kiburi's lackeys attempt to sneak up on an unknown target, using the mashindano as a distraction.
In the meantime, Ono grows tired of the violence and flies away from the mashindano to avoid watching the fight. As he hovers over the battlefield, he notices several crocodiles leaving the event and wonders why they would abandon such an important fight. He reports what he has seen to Kion, who leads the rest of the Lion Guard in figuring out what is going on. Just then, Ono realizes that the crocodiles are attempting to ambush Simba, and he hastens to warn Kion of the danger. Just in time, the Lion Guard arrives and thwarts the crocodiles' efforts to assassinate Simba.
Simba overhears the fight and arrives to find Kiburi's lackeys defeated. He studies the crocodiles and recognizes them as being too dim-witted to have come up with such a scheme on their own. No sooner has Simba realized this when Makuu defeats Kiburi in the mashindano. However, when he stands up, Kiburi declares to the onlookers that his followers have killed Simba and that he is now the ruler of the Pride Lands.
Simba interrupts Kiburi's speech, and Kiburi realizes that the Lion Guard has outsmarted him. Makuu declares that Kiburi is no longer a part of the float, so Simba takes over, banishing Kiburi and his lackeys from the Pride Lands.
Later, Ono laments having caused Makuu's float to awaken early, and goes before Makuu to apologize. At first, Makuu seems to be growing angry, but then he forgives Ono, much to the egret's relief. Kion explains that Makuu had learned of Ono's part in foiling Kiburi's scheme, and Simba adds that everyone makes mistakes.
===="Swept Away"====
When Thurston the zebra and members of his herd get stuck in a dry riverbed, the Lion Guard arrives to help. Kion decides to use the Roar of the Elders to make a rainstorm to loosen the mud. To the rest of the Lion Guard's shock, the Roar turns a cloud into a thunderstorm, and the falling rain loosens the mud, freeing some of the zebras.
At first, the Lion Guard believes the zebras to be safe, but when the rain refuses to stop and a flood begins to rush down the riverbed, Kion orders Beshte to stop the water flow while he and the rest of the Guard free the stuck zebras. The zebras are brought successfully to safety, but in the midst of the rescue, Beshte is swept away by the impeding floodwaters and finds himself trapped in the Outlands.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Lion Guard realizes that Beshte is missing, and Kion orders Ono to scope the area for their missing teammate. Ono does as he is commanded, following the dry riverbed to see if he can spot any sign of Beshte, while the rest of the Lion Guard follows.
In the meantime, the Lion Guard continues to follow the dry riverbed. Ono attempts to search for Beshte from above, but finds no traces of Beshte. He reports back to Kion, who expresses tells Ono to search for hippo footprints. Ono does as he is asked. The Lion Guard struggles to pick up Beshte's scent due to the water having washed it away. Eventually, Ono spots Beshte's tracks and leads the team into the cavern.
The Lion Guard overhears Beshte's desperate cries of "Twende Kiboko", and they rush ahead to save him. Ono guides the team to Rocky Plateau, and Fuli races ahead to stop the hyenas from dropping a massive boulder onto Beshte. As she keeps it from falling into the pit, the other Guard members rush in and engage the hyenas in a fight.
Eventually, Kion uses the Roar of the Elders to clear the hyenas, and Beshte makes his way to safety.
Back in the Pride Lands, Beshte is quick to leap into a mud pool, but in doing so, he accidentally showers his teammates with mud, prompting Ono and the Guard to laugh heartily.
===="Rafiki's New Neighbors"====
Near Pride Rock, the Lion Guard struggles to put out a brush fire. Together, they manage to dig trenches around the fire, effectively ending the danger, but the commotion frightens a herd of zebras into stampeding across the grasslands. The Lion Guard races off to avert the danger.
Across the Pride Lands, the Lion Guard rushes to calm the zebras down. Once the herd slows, Ono learns from the lead zebra, Thurston, that dry lightning had caused the brush fire.
After the rescue, the Lion Guard notices Rafiki meditating in a nearby tree. They question him as to why he is not training Makini, and he admits that he is trying to escape his noisy new neighbors. Rafiki suggests that the Lion Guard return the three young animals to their own kind.
The Lion Guard ventures to Rafiki's tree, where they find Makini having a bug-eating competition with Chama, Furaha, and Mzaha. The three admit that they are outcasts, but Rafiki insists that they must return to their families, for it is part of their duty to the Circle of Life. Seeing the importance of Rafiki's words, the three young animals agree to return to their herds.
Beshte and Ono escort Furaha back to his troop, then regroup at Pride Rock with the rest of the Guard. No sooner have they done this when Kion spots a dry lightning storm in the distance and orders his team to protect any nearby Pride Landers. Ono suggests that they clear the watering holes first, and the Lion Guard sets off to avert the danger.
The Lion Guard attempts to save a pair of hippopotamuses and Zito the elephant from dry lightning. As the team begins to lead their charges away from the watering hole, dry lightning strikes, trapping the animals in a ring of fire.
Sparks from the flames begin to drift across the savanna, igniting the grass beneath Rafiki's tree. Ono happens to notice the danger and warns Kion of the situation. In the meantime, Beshte pushes a boulder into the flames, allowing his teammates and their charges to safely cross the ring of fire. Kion uses the Roar of the Elders to put out the fire, and the Pride Landers thank him for saving them.
With their charges safe, the Lion Guard takes off to save Makini and Rafiki, only to find that Chama, Furaha, and Mzaha are battling the fire themselves. The Lion Guard joins in, and together, the two groups put out the fire. Rafiki thanks them profusely for their help.
That night, Ono watches as Makini paints for the royal family.
===="Rescue in the Outlands"====
A herd of cape buffalo stampede across the Pride Lands, fleeing a cloud of tsetse flies, while the Lion Guard attempts to calm them. In the midst of the chase, Ono points out that tsetse flies detest water, and Kion orders the team to steer the herd to a nearby water source. After clearing Thurston the zebra and his herd from their path, the Lion Guard successfully leads the cape buffalo to a watering hole, where the tsetse flies are warded off. No sooner have they done this when Mbeya the rhinoceros cries out for help, and the Lion Guard rushes to save him.
The Lion Guard finds Mbeya upside down in a dry ditch. Beshte frees Mbeya, and the team escorts him back to the watering hole.
Presently, the Lion Guard finds themselves plagued by tsetse flies. Just then, Thurston and his herd appear, seeking a new watering hole, and Ono realizes that the zebras have been the ones driving off the tsetse flies. This gives Kion an idea, and he and the rest of the Lion Guard decide to escort Mbeya and the zebras to a new watering hole.
Later, Madoa reaches the Lion Guard and tells them that Janja's clan has trapped Jasiri and two hyena pups in a steam vent. Kion suggests that Thurston accompany them to ward off any remaining flies, and the zebra agrees to his request, hoping to "earn a new stripe" for his bravery.
In the Outlands, Kion realizes that the tsetse flies have vanished, and he orders Thurston to return to the Pride Lands. Before they can launch their rescue, Thurston reappears, asking for directions, and the Lion Guard frustratingly points him in the right direction. However, Thurston gets turned around again and continues to follow the team deeper into the Outlands.
The team becomes irritated when they realize that Thurston is still with them, but they have no choice but to proceed with their attack. The team engages in a fight with the hyenas, and Janja and his clan are effectively steered away from the edge of the steam vent. With the hyenas out of the way, Kion orders Beshte to push a large rock into the lava flow, which allows Jasiri and the pups to clamber to safety.
With Janja gone, Jasiri thanks the Lion Guard for their help, and the two groups depart, with the Lion Guard leading Thurston back to the Pride Lands while Jasiri returns the pups to their clan.
Back in the Pride Lands, the Lion Guard thanks Thurston for his help. Just then, the tsetse flies reappear, and the team decides to hang out with the zebras.
===="The Ukumbusho Tradition"====
In Mizimu Grove, the Lion Guard begins practicing their lines for the Ukumbusho Tradition, while Makini mashes up various fruits to make paints for the celebration. Just then, Timon and Pumbaa arrive to help the Lion Guard with their lines. However, before they can start, Ma Tembo points out that the Lion Guard is traditionally composed of lions only, which prompts Makini to suggest that she paint each Lion Guard member to resemble a lion. Makini dresses up the Lion Guard to resemble lions, then takes off to paint the elephants.
With Makini gone, Timon and Pumbaa attempt to direct the Lion Guard on their lines. Timon becomes frustrated with the Lion Guard for being unable to speak their lines while holding the symbolic Branch of Peace in their mouths. Timon suggests throwing the branch away, but Kion protests that it is essential for the ceremony.
Just then, Simba arrives with the lionesses of his pride. The Lion Guard begins to sing "May There Be Peace", in which they commemorate the peace established between the elephants and lions of the Pride Lands.
However, in the midst of the ceremony, a horde of bees attacks the elephants, chasing them from the grove. Kion orders his team to chase down the elephants before they can hurt anyone, and the Lion Guard takes off to halt the stampede. While running, the team works out that the bees are attracted to the elephants' paint.
Ono flies high above the commotion, where he spots Vuruga Vuruga's herd resting in the path of the stampede. Fuli volunteers to deal with the buffalo and manages to scare them off the path just in time for the elephants to thunder past.
From above, Ono reports that the elephants are racing into Sehemu Pass, where they could get stuck between the rocks, but Kion declares that this is a good development. The Lion Guard then gathers at the entrance of the pass, and when each elephant gets stuck, Mtoto sprays their foreheads with dust, clearing away the paint and effectively warding off the bees.
As the elephants recover from the bees, Mtoto notices that his mother is missing, and Ono spots her running along the top of Mapango Cliffs, where the soil is dry and could collapse at any moment. Bunga bounds up the cliffside until he reaches Mtoto's mother. There, he calms her.
Back at Mizimu Grove, the Ukumbusho Tradition continues in a new vein.
===="The Bite of Kenge"====
The Lion Guard catches Janja and his minions, Cheezi and Chungu, attempting to steal a supply of melons from the elephants, who need the fruits' moisture to survive the dry season. They manage to fend off the hyenas and save most of the melons, but Kion decides to keep his team watching the melon patch to ensure that no more fruits are stolen.
Later that day, Ono spots a skirmish at the Watering Hole, and the Lion Guard arrives to find Kenge making a scene. The team leaps into battle, but Kenge manages to bite Kion, Fuli, and Beshte, paralyzing them. Just in time, Bunga steps in and breaks wind in Kenge's face, causing the lizard and his hyena minions to retreat.
With the danger abated, Ono realizes that Kenge is a monitor lizard and therefore has a venomous bite. The team urges Ono to fetch Rafiki for healing, but when Ono arrives at Rafiki's tree to get help, only Makini is at home. She offers to accompany Ono instead and use her minimal healing skills to assist the Lion Guard. However, once at the scene of the fight, she forgets what the antidote, ponya flowers, looks like. Ono recalls what the flowers look like and manages to locate a patch of them. At the same moment, he sees the hyenas returning to the melon patch with Kenge. Hearing this news, Kion orders Bunga and Ono to deal with the thieves while Makini collects the flowers.
At the melon patch, Kenge quickly assumes authority over the hyenas, ordering them to roll the melons out of the patch. Just in time, Bunga and Ono arrive, with Bunga taking on Kenge while Ono stops the hyenas from stealing the melons. At first, the two seem to succeed in their endeavor, but then Kenge manages to bite Ono on the wing, paralyzing him and effectively removing him from the fight. Bunga attacks Kenge, but is bitten himself, allowing Kenge and his hyena allies to escape with the melons. However, once the danger is over, Bunga realizes that he is immune to Kenge's venom.
Later, Bunga and Makini follow Kenge and the hyenas to Embamba Canyon, where Bunga distracts the thieves while Makini steals their melons and hides them behind rocks. Just then, a fully healed Lion Guard approaches, and Kion uses the Roar of the Elders to blast Kenge and the hyenas back to the Outlands, where the melons are out of their reach. Together, the Lion Guard and Makini roll the stolen melons back to the patch, where Bunga complains that the labor of moving the melons had been worse than taking on Kenge alone. The Lion Guard then shares in a hearty laugh.
===="Timon and Pumbaa's Christmas"====
In the Pride Lands, Bunga assists his uncles, Timon and Pumbaa, in decorating an acacia tree with colored gourds. Timon attempts to place a star fruit at the top of the tree, but in doing so, he accidentally snaps a branch and begins to plummet toward the ground. Coincidentally, the Lion Guard arrives at the base of the tree, and Beshte catches the falling Timon on his back.
The Lion Guard then inquires about the oddly decorated tree, and Bunga explains that they are decorating their tree in honor of Christmastime. They add that Christmas is about gift-giving and that a mysterious creature called Dandy Claws often leaves presents for the animals of the savanna. Bunga then sings "Christmas in the Pride Lands", in which he extols the unconventional holiday.
At the conclusion of the song, Timon weeps over Dandy Claws's continued absence, and Pumbaa explains that Dandy Claws only brings presents if animals perform a special song called "The Twelve Ways of Christmas" under the Christmas tree on Christmas morning. This only worsens Timon's mood, and not even Bunga and Pumbaa can cheer him up.
While on patrol, Bunga admits that he wishes he could help his uncles meet Dandy Claws for Christmas. Kion asserts that the Lion Guard can help make this happen, to which Bunga excitedly begins listing all the creatures and items that they must gather in order to properly perform the song. Though the list is vast, the team decides to split up in order to cover more ground and gather the necessary components quickly.
Across the kingdom, Bunga and Ono gather bugs for the celebration. However, in the midst of their search, they sense Pumbaa's rapid approach, and Bunga hastily stuffs the gathered bugs into Ono's mouth. The two groups converge, and both act suspiciously, denying again and again that they are not planning a Christmas surprise for Timon. They then part ways, with Pumbaa straying toward a patch of white flowers, while Bunga and Ono continue their search for bugs. However, Ono accidentally swallows the bugs due to the long length in which they're in his mouth, much to Bunga's dismay.
That night, the Lion Guard's animal recruits gather in a canyon to practice for the celebration. Simba questions Bunga as to what they need to do in order to practice for the show, but Bunga remains unsure as to where he should begin. Seeing the animals' confusion, Ono states that it is going to be a long night.
At sunrise, Kion expresses satisfaction with the animals' performances, but Bunga declares that they still need more practice. Ma Tembo points out that they will never be able to live up to Bunga's expectations, and Simba agrees. The group starts to break up and leave, but Kion calls them back. Simba questions his son as to why Christmas is so important, and Bunga explains that he wants to make up for his uncles' good deeds over the years. This convinces Simba to devote himself back to the cause, and he calls the others back to continue practice.
Later that day, Timon and Pumbaa are met by the Lion Guard, who sing "The Twelve Ways of Christmas" to them with their animal recruits.
After the song, Timon and Pumbaa weep with joy, and Timon thanks the gathered animals for making his Christmas vision come true. Just then, Pumbaa appears dressed in white flowers and a gourd hat, and proclaims that he had hoped to make Timon's Christmas better by dressing up as Dandy Claws. The two conclude that this has been their best Christmas yet. The Lion Guard then decides to make Christmas an annual holiday in the Pride Lands, and the gathered Pride Landers yell, "Merry Christmas!"
===="The Morning Report"====
The Lion Guard gathers around Bupu the sable antelope, whose horns are stuck in the branches of a tree. Kion suggests breaking the branch off the tree, to which Bupu reluctantly agrees.
However, as Bunga begins to bounce on the branch to weaken it, Nyuni the weaver angrily reveals his presence and explains that his nest lies at the end of the branch. Beshte questions Nyuni as to why he had moved his home, and Nyuni explains that he likes to see different parts of the Pride Lands.
Just then, Zazu arrives and comments that he will be including the commotion in his Morning Report to Simba. Kion then gets the idea to have the branch broken off at the end so that Bupu can carry the rest of the branch as well as Nyuni's nest in his horns. After the departure of Bupu, Nyuni, and Zazu, Fuli critiques Zazu's nosiness, to which Kion reminds her that it is part of his job to know the business of the Pride Landers. He then reminds her of the time that Zazu had saved him and Bunga from crocodiles.
At Pride Rock, Simba expresses concern that Zazu is late for his report, as he has never exhibited such behavior before. This leads the Lion Guard to inquire about Zazu's whereabouts to Bupu and Nyuni, who have formed a partnership and are getting along famously. Both Pride Landers deny having seen Zazu since their earlier entanglement, and Kion orders Ono and the team to track Zazu through other methods.
Presently, Ono locates some of Zazu's tail feathers, which still carry his scent. The Lion Guard spots hyena tracks nearby and takes off along the trail, following them to the Outlands. The Lion Guard overhears Zazu singing and rushes to the rescue. They arrive just in time to stop Janja's clan from eating Zazu and begin to engage them in a fight. The Lion Guard soon triumphs, and they take Zazu home.
===="The Golden Zebra"====
Due to a severe drought, Ono and the Lion Guard are forced to break up a fight between Twiga's herd and Vuruga Vuruga's herd. Kion takes the problem to his father, Simba, who instructs the Lion Guard to journey to a watering hole in the Back Lands and ask the zebras there for permission to use it.
Kion leads his team into the Back Lands, where they encounter an antagonistic leopard named Makucha. The leopard attempts to fend them off, but the Lion Guard defeats him easily, forcing him to back off and allow them to pass through his territory.
The team carries on until they encounter two zebra siblings named Raha and Starehe, who lead them to their leader, Dhahabu. Once with the rest of the herd, the zebras begin to sing "Fabulous Dhahabu", in which they praise their leader for being so uniquely beautiful and special.
Dhahabu then takes the Lion Guard aside and shows them the whole of Dhahabu Grove, which she pronounces as being the happiest place in the Back Lands. Kion explains to Dhahabu that the Pride Lands is experiencing a major drought and requests permission for his fellow Pride Landers to use the zebras' watering hole, but Dhahabu is evasive and demands that the Lion Guard first bring her her herd's favorite food, a Tamboa plant.
Despite a Tamboa plant being incredibly difficult to find, Ono spots one behind a tangle of thorns. Beshte promptly clears a path through the thorns, and the Lion Guard works together to unearth the enormous plant. Beshte bears the plant back to Dhahabu on his back, and the Lion Guard presents it to her, adding that they have now fulfilled their end of the bargain. To their shock, Dhahabu calls off the deal and even forbids her own herd from using the watering hole. Suspicious, Kion sends Ono to investigate the situation, and Ono returns with news that the watering hole has dried up.
Dhahabu admits to Kion that she had noticed the water disappearing several days ago, but hadn't wanted to make her herd unhappy by sharing the bad news. Kion offers to assist her with her water problem in exchange for the Pride Landers' access to her watering hole, to which Dhahabu delightfully agrees.
The Lion Guard follows Dhahabu to the watering hole, where she explains that there used to be a waterfall that spilled into the pool. Ono investigates the dried-up falls and informs Kion that a rock slide has caused a blockage downriver. The Lion Guard and Dhahabu begin to pursue Ono's find.
Once at the scene of the blockage, the Lion Guard is confronted by Makucha and his friends. The two groups engage in a fight, during which the Lion Guard manages to chase away all of Makucha's minions. However, Makucha manages to trap Dhahabu and warns the Lion Guard that he will harm her if they do not surrender. In answer, the Lion Guard drops hints to Dhahabu that she can be a good leader by fighting back, and Dhahabu quickly takes action, knocking over Makucha and kicking him into the dam.
The force of Makucha's hit causes the rocks to break apart, and the river swells once more, filling Dhahabu's watering hole. Makucha banks a hasty retreat, while Dhahabu offers the Lion Guard access to her new watering hole.
With Dhahabu's permission, Kion leads the Pride Landers into Dhahabu Grove, where they join the zebras in enjoying the water. Dhahabu invites the Lion Guard to join in, which they do.
===="The Little Guy"====
Ono and the Lion Guard see Makuu training his float to fight and accidentally mistake it for a real fight. They start to break up the sparring, but are warned to stop by Hodari, a gecko who is spectating from a tree. The Lion Guard quickly apologizes to Makuu, who leads his float in continuing their training.
Just then, Ono spots a herd of cape buffalo stampeding toward the crocodiles, and Kion yells for the float to take cover. Though the crocodiles manage to reach safety on a nearby cliff, the stampede causes a rock slide, which injures Makuu. Despite his injuries, Makuu insists that he is fine and continues to train his float.
Ono and the Lion Guard continues on their patrol, and they save Laini and two other galagos who are trapped in a tree.
Later, Ono spots Kiburi's float marching through the Pride Lands, and the Lion Guard rushes to stop them. Once there, the Lion Guard is met by Kiburi, who claims to simply be visiting. He then introduces the team to his float's newest member, Hodari. He attempts to use Hodari's friendship with the Lion Guard to his advantage, but Kion is adamant about Kiburi's banishment and commands the float to return to the Outlands. Kiburi reluctantly gives in, and the float leaves the Pride Lands.
The Lion Guard then tries to warn Makuu that Kiburi is lurking in the Pride Lands, but Makuu insists that his float can care for itself. Kion submits to Makuu's request and leads his team away from the float, unaware that Kiburi is watching from the shadows. The moment the Lion Guard departs, he and his float attack Makuu, using Hodari's lessons to evade their attacks and seize an effortless victory.
Ono spots the attack, and Kion leads his team into battle. Eventually, with Hodari's help, Makuu conquers Kiburi and the latter's float backs off. With Kiburi's float incapacitated, Kion uses the Roar of the Elders to banish them back to the Outlands, effectively saving Makuu and his float.
===="Divide and Conquer"====
When Janja and his clan begin to hunt Twiga and Juhudi, the Lion Guard rushes to their defense. In the midst of the chase, Ono spots Reirei and her jackals attacking a group of pangolins on the other side of the Pride Lands, and Kion is forced to split up his team. While he and Beshte continue to pursue the hyenas, Ono leaves with Bunga and Fuli to take on the jackals.
The fight begins, but the jackals scatter around Fuli and Ono, making it impossible for them to catch them. Reirei then changes strategy, and the jackals begin to pelt the pair with the curled-up forms of the pangolins. However, when the pangolins land, they unfurl and release gas into the faces of the jackals, causing them to flee. Fuli and Ono check on the status of the pangolins, just as Bunga rushes up, out of breath. Ono comments that the jackals are returning to the Outlands, and Fuli speeds away to ensure that this is the case, leaving Bunga to catch up again.
The Lion Guard regroups at the edge of the Outlands, where they watch the jackals flee into the shadows. Kion expresses concern that his team is weaker when split up and wonders why both groups had given up so easily. Though Beshte tries to brush the scrapes off as a coincidence, Ono catches sight of the hyenas and jackals converging in the Outlands, confirming Kion's suspicions. Bunga comments that all they have to do is be in two places at once, which gives Kion the idea to recruit Tamaa the drongo to help them be in two places at once.
Later, Ono spots the jackals chasing down a herd of gazelles, and Kion orders his team to pursue them. Shortly into the chase, Ono catches sight of the hyenas stalking Rafiki, and Kion quickly changes course, sending Tamaa ahead to deal with the jackals, while the Lion Guard defends Rafiki from the hyenas.
The Lion Guard joins forces with Rafiki and defeats the entirety of Janja's clan. Just then, however, Reirei's pack arrives to help, and a fight instigates, in which the Lion Guard and Rafiki beat back against the combined force of the hyenas and the jackals. The hyenas and jackals eventually retreat.
Rafiki then approaches the Lion Guard and thanks them for their help in saving his life.
===="The Scorpion's Sting"====
In the Lair of the Lion Guard, Makini and the Lion Guard discuss how Scar was defeated by Simba, which inspired the Kumbuka celebration. Bunga tries to argue that his uncles, Timon and Pumbaa, are the true heroes, since they distracted the hyenas, but Ono and the rest of the Lion Guard credit Simba with the victory.
At Pride Rock, the Pride Landers sing "Good King Simba" in honor of the Kumbuka celebration. However, in the midst of the festivities, Sumu stings Simba's tail and then banks a hasty retreat as Simba collapses to the ground. Rafiki rushes to the king's side and examines the sting, determining that it had been inflicted by a scorpion. Kion sends Ono to find the scorpion, and together, the Lion Guard chases him into the Outlands.
With the scorpion gone, the Lion Guard returns to Pride Rock, where Simba has weakened severely. Rafiki explains that the only cure is volcanic ash, which can be found in the Outlands, and tasks the Lion Guard with retrieving it. Bunga offers to carry the gourd that will hold the ash, but when he almost breaks it, Rafiki orders Makini to accompany the team.
In the Outlands, Scar gets word of Sumu's success and directs his army to intercept them. The plan works, with Kiburi, Reirei, Janja, and their respective clans slowing down the Lion Guard's progress through the Outlands. At last, the Lion Guard reaches the inner volcano, where Makini places a pinch of the ash in her gourd.
As the team turns to leave, Scar arises from the flames and reveals himself to Kion, admitting his part in the plan to kill Simba. Despite Scar's admission, Kion directs his team to leave, as he is worried about arriving too late to save his father. Scar then calls his army forward, and they corner the Lion Guard at the edge of the lava.
With no option left, Kion uses the roar carefully to blow away Scar's army, and the Lion Guard makes a quick escape. Scar sends Mzingo and his parliament after the Lion Guard, and the vultures nearly wrestle the gourd from Makini. However, the rest of the team arrives just in time to fend off the vultures, and Kion uses his roar to ensure that they are not delayed again.
The Lion Guard continues racing across the savanna, with Kion watching the sun worriedly. Fuli informs Kion that she can reach Pride Rock in time, but that she cannot carry the gourd herself. Bunga then volunteers to ride Fuli and carry the gourd himself, and the two race ahead of the rest of the Lion Guard.
Later, Kion and the rest of the team arrive at Pride Rock, where Simba is weak, but recovering. Rafiki orders everyone to leave Simba to his recovery. Kion joins the rest of the Lion Guard and declares that their duty is to protect the Pride Lands. They then stare out over the kingdom, as Kion reminds them that they can defeat Scar.
===="The Wisdom of Kongwe"====
At Pride Rock, Rafiki tasks Makini with finding Kongwe, who is the oldest and wisest animal in the Pride Lands, asserting that they need her wisdom on Scar's return. Beshte comments that Kongwe lives near the Urembo River, which is a half-day's walk from Pride Rock. Simba worries that this is too long of a delay, but Fuli volunteers to lend her assistance in order to speed up the trip. While she and Makini depart to find Kongwe, Ono and the rest of the Lion Guard set off on patrol.
The Lion Guard spots a group of hyraxes attempting to cross a rock bridge. Ono realizes that the bridge is unstable, and the Lion Guard warns the hyraxes away moments before the rocks give way and collapse. The team worries that the hyraxes will be unable to reach a watering source, so Beshte makes a bridge by hoisting a rock onto his back and holding it up for the hyraxes to cross.
Just then, Ono spots a herd of elands trapped in a wildfire at the Poromoko Crevasse. The Lion Guard hurries away to rescue them.
Ono guides the rest of the Lion Guard through the smoke to where the elands are. The team then leads the elands away from the fire to a canyon. However, as Beshte starts to lead them down into the canyon, a spark sets nearby bushes on fire, blocking the path. Ono worries that the narrowest part of the canyon is not short enough of a distance for the elands to jump, so Kion orders Beshte to make another bridge, as he had for the hyraxes. Beshte does as he is told, and the elands cross safely to the other side.
At sunset, Fuli, Makini, and Kongwe converge with Bunga and the rest of the Lion Guard. Together, they go to Pride Rock, where Kongwe advises Simba to be patient. Kongwe then assures Simba and the Lion Guard that good always triumphs over evil in the end.
===="The Kilio Valley Fire"====
In Kilio Valley, the Lion Guard struggles to put out a widespread brush fire. The Lion Guard spreads out, accepting help from several of Ma Tembo's herd members, while Ma Tembo leads the rest of the herd out of the valley. However, she is cornered among the flames by Janja, Reirei, Kiburi, and their respective followers.
Ono overhears Janja's cackling and reports what he's heard to Kion, who suspects Scar of causing the trouble. He then orders his team to protect the elephants, leaving Kilio Valley to the mercy of the fire.
Once to safety, Ma Tembo mourns her destroyed home. An ornery member of her herd, Zito, blames the Lion Guard for failing to save Kilio Valley, to which the Guard guiltily accepts the criticism. Ma Tembo turns to Kion for help in finding a temporary home, and he resolves to help the elephants.
Kion leads the elephants to the galagos and then the giraffes, but both groups turn them away. Frustrated, Kion orders Bupu the sable antelope to be patient with the elephants until the Lion Guard can come up with another solution. He then asks Ono for a report on Kilio Valley. Ono does as he is instructed and informs Kion that Scar's army has remained in the valley. A guilty Kion realizes that he has helped enable Scar's plan to take over the Pride Lands.
The Lion Guard then discovers that Ma Tembo has been forcibly outed by Bupu. Kion approaches the herd and assures Ma Tembo that he will find them a new home, but Ma Tembo insists that they must leave the Pride Lands, as no one else wants them.
Just then, Ono alerts Kion to a new fire that has broken out at Ndefu Grove. The Lion Guard rushes to the grove, where Laini begs them to save her galagos Bunga, Fuli, and Kion quickly pinpoint the galagos, who are trapped in a tree, and save them from the flames. However, as they are delivering them safely back to Laini, Beshte informs them that the fire is not being put out fast enough. Kion resolves to find help, while the rest of the Lion Guard stays behind to combat the fire.
With Kion and Ma Tembo in the lead, the elephants arrive in Ndefu Grove, where they promptly put out the fire. The grateful galagos then allow the elephants to stay in their home.
===="Undercover Kinyonga"====
The Lion Guard wait on the border of the Outlands and the Pride Lands, when Ono suddenly appears, being chased by Mwoga and Mzingo. Ono lands safely among his teammates, reporting that Janja and his clan are paying a visit to Scar.
Just then, Thurston's frightened brays attract the Lion Guard's attention, and the team approaches him and his herd, asking what the problem is. Thurston reports that a nearby rock has been talking to him, though the team has its doubts. However, Twiga soon appears with a similar claim about a tree. Kion calms the animals, promising to figure out what's going on.
The Lion Guard investigates Twiga's tree, where Ono feels a mysterious creature run over his talons. A chameleon briefly appears before the team, then races away, blending in with her surroundings as she goes. The team takes chase, and Ono is able to spot her with his keen sight. The chameleon then reveals herself to them, as she realizes that they are the Lion Guard, and introduces herself as Kinyonga.
After parting ways with Kinyonga, Ono apologizes for having been spotted by the vultures. Kinyonga overhears the dilemma and offers to sneak into the Outlands and spy on its inhabitants for the Guard. Kion reluctantly agrees to her plan.
Later, the Lion Guard worries over what is keeping Kinyonga. Ono spots her being pursued by the skinks. Kion worries that a battle will not save Kinyonga and declares that he has an idea as to how they can enter the Outlands unseen.
In the Outlands, Shupavu hears a mysterious voice and turns to find that Ono and the Lion Guard have snuck up on the skinks by using foliage and mud to conceal themselves. The skinks bank a hasty retreat, and Kinyonga explains that Scar plans to cut off the water source at Hakuna Matata Falls. The team resolves to return to the Pride Lands to foil the plot.
Come nighttime, the hyenas attempt to block up the river, but the Lion Guard once more camouflages themselves and launches a surprise attack.
The next morning, the Lion Guard notices Thurston speaking to a rock and figures that it must be Kinyonga at work. They approach Kinyonga and question her, to which she expresses guilt over scaring Janja and his clan into the river. Bunga assures her that it doesn't matter if the hyenas get spooked, and she vows to never scare anyone again. However, Thurston is frightened by her appearance, and he and his herd flee from the rock. Ono and the Lion Guard quickly take chase.
===="Cave of Secrets"====
The Lion Guard examines paintings in the Lair of the Lion Guard in the hopes of finding a way to defeat Scar. Kion notices a boulder blocking a painting and instructs Beshte to move it. With the boulder out of the way, the Lion Guard finds a secret passage leading deep into the heart of the Lair. Makini uses her bakora staff to bring a painting to life, which details how the original Lion Guard, led by Askari, had defeated a great evil by venturing deep into the Lair's chambers. Determined to find a means of defeating Scar, Kion leads the Guard into the caverns.
As the Lion Guard ventures deeper into the Lair, they reach a weak section of floor, where the ground collapses beneath them. The Guard then sets off in a new direction, though they continually meet dead-ends.
Ono uses his sharp eyesight to figure out that the caverns form a maze. He guides the Lion Guard through the tunnels until they escape the maze.
As the Lion Guard reaches safety, they realize that the underground chamber is a test, in which a Lion Guard must prove its worth. Just then, Makini arrives, having followed the Guard's pawprints, and Kion reluctantly allows her to join the quest.
Under Kion's leadership, the team reaches another chamber, where Makini leads them to a painting. She explains that a group of evil lions had attempted to overtake the Pride Lands, but Askari and his Lion Guard had foiled their plans using an unstoppable force. She then leads them into a chamber where there is a pool of water and yet another painting.
At first, the team cannot decipher where the unstoppable force is, but then Kion realizes that it is their reflection - or the Lion Guard itself - that is the unstoppable force. Makini brings the painting to life, showing how Askari's Guard had worked together to defeat the evil lions. As one, the Guard looks up at the painting, which shifts into the symbol of the Guard, and cries out their catchphrase, determined to take down Scar.
===="The Zebra Mastermind"====
The Lion Guard saves a pair of hyraxes from a dust devil. Nearby, Thurston the zebra is aggravated by the storm and proclaims to the Lion Guard that they should be putting a stop to the dust devils. Just then, Ono spots another dust devil, and Kion leads the team to the site of the storm. Ono and the Guard rescue a pangolin from a dust devil.
Later, the Lion Guard is helping the pangolins when Cheezi and Chungu attack them with red flowers. Beshte uses his strength to dispatch of the two, and Kion wonders why the attack had been so odd. The team then takes off to deal with another dust devil.
The Lion Guard rescues Mbuni and two other ostriches from sand that has filled up a gully. Goigoi approaches with berry stripes painted on his fur, but is soon noticed by the Lion Guard. Disappointed, he retreats, and Fuli questions the strange occurrences.
Tamka and Nduli then attempt to tickle the Lion Guard's bellies, only to be blown away by Kion's Roar of the Elders. Kion voices his concern that Scar is behind the attacks, and orders Ono to scout out the Outlands. Ono soon spots Thurston being beset by Cheezi, Chungu, Goigoi, Nduli, and Tamka. Since he is a Pride Lander, Kion decides that it is their duty to save him.
Ono and the Lion Guard chase off the Outlanders. Thurston then reveals that he has been advising the Outlanders, and the Lion Guard realizes why they have been the butt-end of such strange attacks. Together, the team and Thurston leave the Outlands to return home.
===="The Hyena Resistance"====
Ono and the Lion Guard defend the Pride Lands from a three-way attack by Janja's clan, Kiburi's float, and Reirei's pack.
Eventually, the Guard defeats the Outlanders, who retreat to the Outlands. Just then, Jasiri tackles Kion to the ground, having been watching the skirmish. She comments on how strange it is that all the Outlanders have been banding together, and Kion explains that they are all fighting under Scar's banner. He offers Jasiri and her clan a place in the Pride Lands for protection, but she insists that they must protect their turf.
Back in the Outlands, Jasiri overhears Janja plotting with his clan to take over Mizimu Grove with Kiburi and Reirei's groups. She sends Madoa to warn Ono and the Lion Guard, while she and the rest of the clan intercept Janja's clan. The plan works, with the Lion Guard defeating Kiburi and Reirei in Mizimu Grove, and Jasiri and her clan blocking Janja's access to the Pride Lands with a rock slide.
After the three failed such attacks, Jasiri celebrates the Hyena Resistance's success with the Lion Guard on the border of the Outlands and the Pride Lands.
Later, Madoa informs the Lion Guard that Scar is planning their biggest attack yet on Mizimu Grove, unaware that it is a trap. She returns to Jasiri, only for the clan to be set upon by Janja, Kiburi, and Reirei. Across the Pride Lands, Ono scouts the Outlands and catches sight of Jasiri's clan being attacked. Ono and the Lion Guard rush to their aid and defeat the three groups.
===="The Underground Adventure"====
The Lion Guard rushes to Pride Rock, following the sounds of Tiifu and Zuri yelling for help. However, once they arrive, they find that the cubs are simply distressed about how the heat is messing up their fur. Beshte suggests that Tiifu and Zuri visit the mudpots at the edge of the Pride Lands to moisturize their fur. They agree enthusiastically and invite Kiara to join them. Nala sends Kion and Bunga to watch over the cubs.
Before long, Fuli, Beshte, and Ono have to go put out a fire near the mudpots, prompting them to fear for their friends. Eventually they find them, and Bunga explains that they had gotten caught in a maze of underground tunnels.
===="Beshte and the Beast"====
At the watering hole, the Lion Guard regulates when the giraffes and zebras take turns to drink. Suddenly, a gorilla appears, smashing everything in sight. While Beshte and Ono calm the panicked giraffes and zebras, Kion, Bunga, and Fuli confront the gorilla. At first, the gorilla is hostile, but he backs down upon realizing that he is facing the Lion Guard.
The gorilla introduces himself as Shujaa and explains that the king of the Theluji Mountains, Sokwe, had sent him to assist the Lion Guard.
Just then, Ono informs the Lion Guard that the crocodiles, hyenas, and jackals are attacking Big Springs. Alongside Shujaa, the team races to the rescue and confronts the invaders. However, before the Lion Guard can step in, Shujaa heaves boulders and trees at the Outlanders, effectively driving them away from Big Springs. In the process, he destroys the nearby area, blocking aardvark dens, trapping hares in mud, and tangling oryx's horns. Though Shujaa is upset, the Lion Guard resolves to clean the mess.
No sooner have they finished when Ono alerts them that the crocodiles, hyenas, and jackals have returned to hunt a herd of sable antelope. Kion suggests cutting through Nyani Grove, which inspires Shujaa to charge through the grove and begin clearing a wide path. In doing so, he knocks the baboons from their trees, and they charge into a herd of cape buffalo, inciting a stampede. Beshte and Fuli rush after them to calm them, while Kion, Bunga, and Ono follow Shujaa.
As Shujaa approaches the Outlanders, Kion enters the scene behind him and orders the sable antelope to move. He then uses the Roar of the Elders to blast the Outlanders away.
Beshte and Fuli return, and the Lion Guard laments the state that Nyani Grove is in. Kion explains to Shujaa that he does not know his own strength, and Beshte offers to teach the gorilla what he knows. Shujaa agrees, and the two move off together to train.
Not long after, the Lion Guard is forced to defend Big Springs from yet another fiery attack from the Army of Scar. Ono tells Beshte, who is forced to leave for Big Springs on his own. In the midst of the fight, Beshte injures his leg and is unable to move. Ono begs Shujaa for help, and the gorilla agrees to fight for the sake of Beshte.
Together, the Lion Guard and Shujaa work together to put out the blaze and fight the invading Outlanders. The Lion Guard praises Shujaa and comment that they are glad that Sokwe had sent him.
===="Pride Landers Unite!"====
The Lion Guard rushes to stop Bupu's herd and Laini and her galagos from stampeding. Once calm, the groups admit to having been scared of a jackal attack, and the Lion Guard concludes that the Pride Landers must unite against the threat of the Outlanders. They gather together Bupu's herd, Laini's group, Ma Tembo's herd, and Mbeya's crash ("Pride Landers Unite!").
At first, the Pride Landers are tense, but Kion works to defuse the tension. He instructs the animals to race toward Bunga. However, the event soon gets out of hand, for the animals trip over the galagos and end up in a heap.
Kion then gets the idea to call Makuu the crocodile for help. Makuu begrudgingly agrees to help, but his training is too rigorous and ruthless for the other Pride Landers to master. Kion urges Makuu to be kinder to his fellow Pride Landers, but Makuu leaves in a huff and vows to only look out for his own float if trouble should arise.
Unbeknownst to the Pride Landers, Shupavu and Njano spy on the proceedings and report back to Scar. Scar decides to attack Makuu's watering hole since the crocodiles' alliance with Kion is fraying.
The Army of Scar besieges Makuu's float, with Kiburi targeting Makuu. Ono witnesses the battle and reports his findings to Kion. Together, the Lion Guard and their Pride Lander allies storm the watering hole and fight off the Army of Scar.
===="The Queen's Visit"====
After meeting with Simba atop Pride Rock, Dhahabu is escorted on a tour around the kingdom by Kiara, Tiifu, and Zuri. The Lion Guard tags along at Dhahabu's insistence.
Before long, the Lion Guard runs into Dhahabu's assistants, Raha and Starehe, who are depressed that their queen has no need of them. Ono offers to find her for them and soon discovers that she is being set upon by the jackals. Together with Raha and Starehe, the Lion Guard rushes to the rescue and fights off the pack. Much to the Lion Guard's surprise, Raha and Starehe do not correct Dhahabu and instead let Tiifu and Zuri take the credit.
Not long after, Dhahabu is freshening up in a water hole when the jackals attack again, this time with crocodile allies. Ono informs the Lion Guard of the predicament, and Raha and Starehe race off to defend their queen. After the fight, Dhahabu relieves Fuli, Tiifu, and Zuri of their duties and appoints Raha and Starehe in their stead. Together, the group returns to Pride Rock, where Dhahabu renews her water treaty with the Pride Landers.
===="The Fall of Mizimu Grove"====
At Big Springs, Timon and Pumbaa wander by on the trail of a slug. No sooner have they left when Makini arrives and shows off a plant root that will be part of her mpando mpaya, which is the traditional planting of a new baobab tree by a Royal Mjuzi. This prompts Kion to chase after Timon and Pumbaa, and ask them to perform at Makini's mpando mpaya. That way, the Pride Landers will treat it like a celebratory event and have their spirits raised.
At Mizimu Grove, Rafiki and Simba announce the celebration, and Timon and Pumbaa perform their song ("Tujiinue"). In the midst of the celebration, the Army of Scar attacks, and the Pride Landers rise up to defend themselves. The battle pauses when Scar appears in the flames and threatens to overtake the entirety of the Pride Lands.
Kion uses the Roar of the Elders to defeat the Outlanders, while Simba deliberates what to do with Ma Tembo. He approaches the Pride Landers once the Lion Guard has calmed them and admits that he has had knowledge of Scar's return for some time. The herds deliberate whether they should leave the Pride Lands, and Simba tells them to inform him of their decision the following morning at Pride Rock.
That night, Kion notices something on the ground and rushes off to speak to the Pride Landers. At Pride Rock, he implores the Pride Landers to follow him to Mizimu Grove before they decide to leave the kingdom. The herds follow Kion to Pride Rock, where Makini's baobab tree seed has survived the fire. This inspires the Pride Landers to remain in the kingdom and work together to defeat Scar.
===="Fire from the Sky"====
When fire sticks begin raining down from the sky, the Lion Guard rushes to protect Twiga's herd. In the midst of the attack, Ono attempts to find the source of the fire sticks, but the high altitude forces him to return to the ground. This gives Beshte the idea to talk to Anga, a high-flying martial eagle.
The Lion Guard finds Anga in a grove of trees, and she agrees to help them find the source of the fire sticks. Just then, another attack begins, and Anga and Ono take off to investigate the problem. As they fly higher and higher, Ono is forced to retreat, while Anga soars ahead. Once above the clouds, she spots Mzingo and his parliament dropping fire sticks onto the Pride Lands below.
Anga reports back to the Lion Guard, and Kion suggests that they rally the kingdom's birds to help stop the vultures. Ono suggests asking Hadithi for help, which excites Anga. Together, Anga and Ono depart to ask for Hadithi for help. Along the way, Anga teaches Ono how to fly as she does ("Height and Sight").
Eventually, Anga and Ono find Hadithi surrounded by his adoring fans. At first, Ono worries that Hadithi is still taking credit for the doings of others, but he soon realizes that Hadithi is humbly attributing his successes to those who deserve it. Ono implores Hadithi to help the Lion Guard, and Hadithi agrees, leading his followers to where the Lion Guard has gathered to plan their next move.
Once the birds and the Lion Guard have rallied, they take off to thwart another attack, this time over the Maumivu Thorn Patch. During the fight, Anga gets wounded, and Hadithi and Ono rush to save her. However, Hadithi gets attacked by vultures and ends up falling into the thorn patch below.
With no Hadithi to rally the birds, Ono takes up the mantle of leader and manages to lead the birds in another assault. They round up the vultures, and Kion uses his Roar of the Elders to banish them back to the Outlands.
===="Battle for the Pride Lands"====
Ono and the rest of the Lion Guard spend several months fighting Scar's army, until Simba decides to invade the Outlands. Ono rallies the Pride Lands birds to join in the assault, and oversees the gathering attack force with his friends ("On the Last Night"). When Janja's clan make their way into the lair, Ono and the others pursue them, only for a fire to be set behind them.
Ono is able to fly out through a hole in the roof and alerts Anga to the fire surrounding Pride Rock. He remains with Simba and Nala as Anga carries Kiara to safety, and then accompanies them when Anga returns with Hadithi. When the the rest of the Guard and Janja's hyenas escape the lair, Ono rejoins them.
Despite Scar's demand that they flee the Pride Lands, Simba decides to carry on with the assault, and Ono flies with the Guard. They make their way to the caldera of Scar's volcano, only for Ushari to attack Kion. When Bunga falls into the lava with the cobra, Ono flies in and manages to lift him out again.
Despite leaving the volcano, Ono's vision remains hazy, and the Guard take him to be examined by Rafiki. Rafiki concludes that the volcano's fumes have damaged Ono's sight. Despite this, he is able to memorize the paintings depicting the route to the Tree of Life, where both Kion and Ono may find healing.
Unable to continue acting as the keenest of sight, Ono asks Anga to take his place. Kion appoints her to the Guard, causing a disappointed Ono's mark to disappear. However, Kion decides that Ono still has a place with the Guard, and gives him a new mark as the Pride Lands' smartest. The Guard and Makini then leave for the Tree of Life, with Ono's flock saluting him as he rides past on Beshte's back.
===="The Harmattan"====
Ono and the Guard travel into the Back Lands, where they find the first moja kwa moja stone marking the path to the Tree of Life. The group then run into Makucha and his friends Fahari and Jiona. When the leopards attack, Makini grabs Ono and carries him into a nearby tree over his protests.
As the rest of the Guard engages the leopards, Ono laments not being able to help out, but is then distracted by an unfamiliar noise. It proves to be a massive windstorm, which Makucha identifies as a harmattan after the two parties take shelter from it. After some discussion, Makucha reluctantly agrees to guide the Lion Guard through the storm.
Ono is distressed by both his lost sight and his failure to recognize the warning signs of the storm, but is encouraged by Makini. Later, he realizes that Makucha has changed the direction they were traveling in. Fearing a betrayal, he alerts the rest of the Guard, who are thus not caught entirely off guard by Makucha's attack.
Thanks to another warning from Ono, the Guard are able to take shelter from an intense wind that carries the leopards away. Safely out of range of the storm, the group thanks Ono, confirming that he still contributes to the Guard.
===="The Accidental Avalanche"====
The Lion Guard make their way into a range of mountains, though Ono notes that they are diverging from the path suggested by Rafiki's painting. Kion insists on continuing, and they encounter a troop of snow monkeys. After Anga is sent to ask them about tuliza, Ono remembers too late that snow monkeys are afraid of large birds.
After Kion accidentally triggers an avalanche with the Roar, the Guard work to help the snow monkeys find a new hot spring. Unfortunately, the snow monkeys and Bunga fall into a hole in the snow, which Ono warns the others away from. However, Anga is able to lift them to safety, and the Guard then enjoys a relaxing soak in their new hot spring.
===="Ghost of the Mountain"====
As the Lion Guard continues traveling through the mountains, they encounter a grove of bamboo, which Ono recognizes as the site of the next moja kwa mouja stone. The group then encounters a number of red pandas, with Ono noting that they are usually solitary. When they report that they have been plagued by a ghost, Ono insists that they don't exist, but is contradicted by Domog. After hearing the elder out, Kion decides that the guard will assist the pandas.
Upon the guard's first encounter with Chuluun, Ono is able to identify her as a snow leopard. Baffled by her camoflage, Ono suggests following her footprints. This tactic succeeds, and Kion has Ono hang back with Makini as the guard confronts Chuluun. Once she has been defeated and the guard finds the stone, Ono recalls the next stretch of their root.
===="Marsh of Mystery"====
In the midst of traveling through a swamp, the guard is disturbed by the approach of unknown creatures. Makini grabs Ono and flees to safety, ignoring his protests that they don't even know if there is a threat. By the time he is able to get through to her, they are out of sight of their friends. Makini then spots a marsh light, and pursues it despite Ono's attempts to stop her.
The pair end up falling into a cavern beneath the marsh, and Makini apologizes for failing to heed Ono. As they are attempting to find a way out, Makini suggests that Ono fly, and he wearily reminds her of his damaged vision. As Ono attempts to think of a solution, Makini grates on his nerves with her constant talking. One of her escape attempts starts to flood the cave, and the pair look to a pair of tunnels as an escape.
After disturbing a flock of bats, the pair hit upon the idea of following them out of the tunnels. Ono attempts to mimic their echolocation, but is unable to do so. However, he then realizes that Makini's voice is perfect for the task, and the pair begin making their way out ("Anything").
The pair soon emerge on ground level near their friends, and Ono identifies the creatures from before as mongooses. He praises Makini for looking after him, and the group continues their journey.
===="Dragon Island"====
The Lion Guard find themselves on the shores of an ocean, and find that the next stone is located atop a nearby island. After befriending Lumba-Lumba the dolphin, the group heads for a land bridge connected to the island. An old civet warns them that the island is inhabited by dragons, but Ono dismisses them as mythical.
Ono soon finds himself mistaken, as the guard encounters Ora and his fellow Komodo dragons. Kion swiftly drives them off with the Roar, but a lapse in control causes a tidal wave. The group then find themselves trapped on the island with Lumba-Lumba, the land bridge having been destroyed.
Ono, Makini, and Anga go looking for the moja kwa moja stone as the others attend to their dolphin friend. They succeed, but return to the beach to find that the dragons are back and attacking. Following Anga's directions, Ono helps her drop seaweed on the dragons to blind them. The dragons are soon driven off by the Roar again, and Kion then uses it to open a path through the waves to get the team back to land.
===="Journey of Memories"====
The Lion Guard locates the next moja kwa moja stone, but find that the river it indicates as a landmark has gotten smaller. Ono recalls that the next landmark is a series of boulders in a pool of water, which Anga reports has dried up. Makini, based on her memories, leads the group to a waterfall, but it is also dry.
After reaching the pool, Ono recalls the next landmark as four white flowers in a diamond shape, which doesn't match Makini's recollections. However, based on several apparent inaccuracies in her memory, the Guard chooses to press on, but Anga is unable to find any flowers. Ono speculates that the flowers might have died with the drying water, and notes that several of the landmarks Makini recalls weren't in Rafiki's paintings.
As the group crosses a desert at Makini's direction, Ono realizes that Beshte is beginning to sunburn as he and Makini ride on the hippo's back. As they travel, Ono identifies a booming sand dune and a jerboa named Tupp. The group are then caught in the desert winds, which reshapres the desert so that they can't retrace their steps.
Based on Tupp's words, Ono suggests that they stop and rest until the sun goes down and the heat is less intense. Once night falls, the group proceeds, and Makini's recollections prove to be correct. The four flowers prove to be four stars in the sky, and the Guard find themselves at the next moja kwa moja stone.
===="The Race to Tuliza"====
After leaving the desert, the Guard reaches an inland sea, which Bunga tries to drink from despite Ono's attempts to stop him. Barely fazed, Bunga soon names it the "Bunga Sea", to Ono's surprise. When Makini suggests that the water might help Kion relax, Ono confirms her information. The Guard and Makini, with the exception of Anga and Fuli, are soon enjoying the sea, while Fuli leaves to collect some tuliza.
Unfortunately, their restful break is soon disrupted by a raucous pack of flamingos ("Flamingo Dance Party"), and Ono's attempts to speak with them are hindered by them finding him cute. Kion's friends begin to worry that the noise will upset their friend, and do their best to break up the flamingos and keep him calm. Fortunately, Fuli and her new cheetah friend Azaad arrive just in time with the tuliza. The crisis averted, the Lion Guard continue on their way.
===="Mama Binturong"====
The Guard continues to journey towards the Tree of Life and encounter Tenuk the tapir. After Makini's staff and its supply of tuliza, the Guard attempt to locate it, and eventually learn that it has been taken by local tyrant Mama Binturong. They attempt to penetrate her lair in the Stone Forest, but only Bunga is able to make his way through the tightly packed rock spires. Once he retrieves the staff, the Guard set their course for the next moja kwa moja stone.
===="Friends to the End"====
As the Guard nears the Tree of Life, Kion grows increasingly temperamental, particularly after a misunderstanding with a mother goose and her child. Ono realizes that the gosling, whom they thought was falling, was actually trying to learn how to fly. Later, he recognizes a group of peacocks in the midst of a display, and identifies Beshte's new acquaintance Yun Mibu as a clouded leopard. Though he doubts Bunga's claims that Kion is turning evil, he is forced to admit that his friend has not been himself.
After Kion leaves the group, despondent, Ono and the others voice their determination to stand by him ("Friends to the End"). However, Ono then becomes anxious, hoping to reach the Tree of Life so his eyes can be healed. Fuli reassures him, and the group eventually goes to look for Kion, with Ono noting that they haven't heard him use the Roar. When they find him dangling from a cliff, the group is at a loss, with Anga unable to get near him and Ono unable to carry him. 
Despite Kion's ill treatment of him earlier, Yun Mibu is persuaded to help, with Ono noting clouded leopards as famed climbers. Once Kion is rescued, the group persuades him to take some tuliza, despite its lessened effect, and rest after his ordeal.
===="The Tree of Life"====
Upon nearly reaching the last moja kwa moja stone, the Guard comes across a lake that Ono realizes has frozen over. Ono decides to fly over it while his friends cross on foot, only for the ice to crack beneath them. They all cross safely, but Makini's staff is lost in the process, leaving them unable to make the final stone's painting move. However, Ono is able to remember a pass leading to the Tree of Life nearby, and at Kion's urging the group heads for it.
After the pass is accidentally blocked by a rockslide and Bunga is trapped, the Guard is attacked by the Night Pride, defenders of the Tree of Life. Ono and Makini work to free Bunga while the rest of the team engages the strange lions. After Kion uses the Roar against Baliyo, Rani forbids the Guard from continuing their journey to the Tree of Life. Despite his own lost opportunity for healing, Ono encourages Kion, who assures Ono that they won't turn back.
The Guard clears the rockslide from the pass but respect Rani's decree by not entering it until the Night Pride returns to speak with them. Kion apologizes again for his actions, and asks that Ono at least be allowed to continue. Impressed by Kion's humility and moved by her grandmother Janna's counsel, Rani allows the entire Guard to continue on.
===="The River of Patience"====
The Lion Guard arrives at the Tree of Life, where they meet its matriarch, Queen Janna. Kion explains that he and his friend, Ono, have come for healing. Nirmala, a gifted healer, examines them and comes to the conclusion that Kion's injuries will be far more difficult to heal than Ono's. Janna orders her granddaughter, Rani, to give the Lion Guard a tour of the kingdom while Kion begins his healing journey with Nirmala.
Rani gives the Lion Guard a tour of the territory, which includes a variety of habitats ("Welcome to the Tree of Life"). After the tour, Rani is called away to deal with Makucha and his allies, Chuluun and Ora, who are sneaking into the territory.
The Night Pride takes on Makucha and his allies, defeating them easily, as they do not work well together. At the same time, the rest of the Lion Guard joins Kion and relates how Rani had been called away to face down a threat to the Tree of Life. Kion frets that the Night Pride could be in danger, and the Lion Guard heads off to help defeat the unknown foe.
The Lion Guard arrives at the scene of the fight, only to find that the Night Pride has defeated Makucha and his allies. Baliyo mentions Makucha by name, and Kion apologetically admits that Makucha and his allies had followed the Lion Guard to the Tree of Life. This infuriates Rani.
The Lion Guard and the Night Pride travel back to the Tree of Life, where Rani accuses the Lion Guard of having let in an army of predators. Kion apologizes and offers his team's services in defeating Makucha's army, but Janna advises Kion to heal before he helps the Night Pride.
The next morning, the Night Pride battles against Makucha and his allies, but Baliyo gets bitten by Ora, which paralyzes him. Kion rushes to help the Night Pride. The rest of the Lion Guard arrives in time to chase Makucha's army away.
===="Little Old Ginterbong"====
While the Lion Guard, Baliyo, and Rani relax at a water hole, Kion washes off a layer of healing mud on his face. Nirmala explains that Kion still has much to do before he is fully healed, but that Ono's eye remedy is ready. Together, Nirmala and Ono depart for the Tree of Life.
Meanwhile, Mama Binturong plots to invade the Tree of Life by pretending to seek sanctuary from Makucha and his army. She adds that she will have to avoid Bunga, as he is the only member of the Lion Guard who might recognize her. The army enacts the plan, and the Night Pride falls for it, accepting Mama Binturong for healing at the Tree of Life.
As the Lion Guard heads for the Tree of Life to check on Ono's healing, Bunga suddenly gets inspired to challenge Binga to a stink contest. Bunga heads off to find his new friend, while the rest of the team continues on its way. Together, the Lion Guard and Mama Binturong are led into the Tree of Life, where Janna accepts Mama Binturong for healing. Not wanting to give herself away, Mama Binturong introduces herself as a "ginterbong," which confuses Ono. She asks for a tour of the territory, but Janna explains that the Night Pride rests during the daytime.
Afterward, Janna channels the Tree of Life's powers to heal Ono's eyesight. Ono is delighted, but Janna warns him that his vision will never be as good as it once was. Outside, Ono sees that Janna was right, as he can no longer see in such detail. Anga instead uses her vision to locate Bunga, who is still with Binga.
On their way to meet Bunga, the Lion Guard runs into Mama Binturong. They invite her to meet Bunga, but she declines and climbs up a tree to rest. Ono watches in confusion, wondering why she is no longer limping. The team meets Binga, and Beshte explains that Kion is still healing with Nirmala. Mama Binturong spies on the conversation and comes up with a plan to defeat the Lion Guard and the Night Pride. Before she leaves, she steals tuliza from a pika, which Ono witnesses.
Mama Binturong returns to her allies and instructs them to kill Janna while she distracts the Night Pride. The plan goes into motion, with the Night Pride falling for Mama Binturong's cries for help. In the meantime, Makucha, Chuluun, and Ora sneak over the border.
Ullu the owl informs the Lion Guard of Mama Binturong's peril, and they resolve to help her. However, Ono realizes that Mama Binturong had called Chuluun by name in her cries for help, which indicates that they are working together. The Lion Guard heads to the Tree of Life instead and heads off Makucha, Chuluun, and Ora.
After the incident, Rani praises Ono for his quick thinking, and Kion notes that Ono is truly the smartest member of the Lion Guard.
===="Poa the Destroyer"====
Beshte has the day to himself, as all his friends are occupied with other tasks. Baliyo suggests touring the territory and meeting new animals, which inspires and excites Beshte. However, he continually causes accidents, which leads the animals to believe that Beshte is a menace.
Later, Rani gathers the Lion Guard at the Tree of Life. Once there, she explains that Beshte has been frightening the animals due to his accidents. A saddened Beshte exiles himself from the Tree of Life, believing himself to be a true destroyer. However, the Lion Guard decides to host a meeting at the Tree of Life where Beshte can earn the animals' trust back.
At the meeting, Kion and Rani explain that Beshte is friendly, not destructive. Just then, Beshte approaches with Pinguino on his back. Pinguino declares that Beshte had saved his life, effectively clearing Beshte's name. The animals start up a chant of "Poa."
===="Long Live the Queen"====
Mama Binturong and her army attack a tiger named Varya and her cubs, who are seeking sanctuary at the Tree of Life. The Lion Guard and the Night Pride arrive, saving the tigers from further harm.
Just then, Ullu arrives and warns Rani that Janna wants to see her, Kion, and the rest of the Night Pride immediately. While the Lion Guard stays behind to care for Varya and her cubs, the Night Pride and Kion follow Ullu to the Tree of Life.
Later, Ono and his friends attend Janna's funeral at the Willows.
At sunset, Rani becomes the new queen of the Tree of Life ("Long Live the Queen"). Ono attends her coronation.
===="The Lake of Reflection"====
Makucha and his army launch an attack on the Tree of Life. The Night Pride challenges them, though Baliyo's yawning exposes how exhausted they are from a night of patrolling. The Lion Guard arrives in time to help, but Kion and Rani's dual leadership results in confusion.
Eventually, the Lion Guard and the Night Pride succeed in driving off the army, though Rani criticizes Kion for not following her lead. Kion offers to patrol the Tree of Life with the rest of the Lion Guard during the day in order to give the Night Pride time to rest, and Rani gratefully accepts his offer. Unbeknownst to the team, Mama Binturong is spying on their conversation from a nearby tree.
Afterward, Mama Binturong schemes with her allies against the Lion Guard and the Night Pride, ordering the army to attack in-between shifts at sunset.
The Lion Guard patrols the Tree of Life, coming across a dispute between Heng Heng the panda and Kely the lemur over a bamboo stand. The team decides to bring the two before Rani, who will decide who can claim the bamboo stand.
The Lion Guard approaches Rani with Heng Heng and Kely. After hearing the two's stories, Rani decides that Heng Heng can have the bamboo stand when she is required to eat and that the lemurs can have it in-between those times.
As Kion returns to his reflections, Rani tells Fuli that Kion may be unable to heal any more. She then relates what Kion had said about his inability to lead the Lion Guard without the Roar. The Lion Guard returns to Kion, and Anga relates the time that a much younger Lion Guard had rescued Ono's egg from Janja's clan ("Remember What Makes You You"). After the story, Kion feels inspired and revitalized, having realized that he does not need the Roar to lead his team.
After the story, Ullu arrives and warns the Lion Guard that Makucha's army is launching another attack. The Night Pride arrives, and Kion leads the two teams in their attack. The teams succeed, and Rani praises Kion for his great leadership skills.
===="Triumph of the Roar"====
Makucha and his army sneak into the Tree of Life due to Ullu falling asleep. The Night Pride arrives, only for the Lion Guard to take over the shift and defeat the army.
After the fight, Bunga compliments Kion for his good leadership skills, and Nirmala agrees, adding that Kion's healing is complete. Rani worries that this will prompt Kion to return to the Pride Lands, but Kion assures her that he and the Lion Guard will help defend the Tree of Life from Makucha's army first. Kion then leaves to speak with Askari, leaving Fuli in charge of the Lion Guard.
Afterward, the Lion Guard frees a camel who is stuck in the sand.
Later, Makucha's army invades the Tree of Life. Ullu warns the Night Pride about the army's attack, and they rush to the Tree of Life, only to be shut in by a giant rock pushed by Ora and his minions. With the Night Pride out of commission, the army attacks the animals at the Tree of Life. The Lion Guard arrives, having been warned by Ullu, and resolves to free the Night Pride from the army's trap. During the battle, Ono drops rocks on his enemies.
Eventually, Kion, Bunga, and Rani arrive, and Kion uses the Roar to defeat the villains. He then strikes the rock at the Tree of Life's entrance with lightning, destroying it and freeing the Night Pride. Finally, Kion sweeps Makucha and his army into a tornado, which sends them far away from the Tree of Life to never be seen again.
===="Journey to the Pride Lands"====
The Lion Guard approaches Kion and declares that they are ready to return home. Just then, Ullu arrives, heralding the arrival of Azaad, Janja, and Jasiri. Jasiri informs Kion that Zira is invading the Pride Lands and that the royal family needs the Lion Guard's help. The Lion Guard resolves to return home.
Azaad leads the team to the fastest route home: a narrow canyon pass. Beshte is too wide to squeeze through, so Kion uses the Roar of the Elders to widen the pass. Next, the team comes to a canyon that is too wide to jump across, and Kion uses the Roar to funnel his teammates to the other side. Finally, Kion creates a rainstorm that fills a dry riverbed, allowing the team to hitch a ride on a floating log.
The Lion Guard continues their journey, passing familiar landmarks, such as the marsh, the mountain, and more ("As You Move On"). Eventually, they reach the Great Stone Wall. Kion uses the Roar to break apart the rock, not knowing that the wall functions as a dam, and accidentally opens a fissure that spurts water. Kion continues to Roar in order to hold the water back while the Lion Guard rescues nearby animals.
Suddenly, Ono gets the idea to throw rocks into the path of Kion's Roar in order to cover the damaged section of the wall. The team works together, heaving rocks into the Roar, until there are enough to fix the hole in the wall. Kion stops Roaring, and the rocks fall, effectively blocking the dam.
Kion compliments his friends on their teamwork, and Azaad leads the team around the stone wall. They eventually arrive in the Outlands, where they catch a glimpse of Pride Rock in the distance. The Lion Guard then enters the Pride Lands, determined to save their kingdom.
===="Return to the Pride Lands"====
The Lion Guard enters the Outlands, where they run into Madoa. Madoa, who has been in hiding with the rest of Jasiri's clan, explains that Zira's invasion of the Pride Lands has already begun. Mzingo arrives and agrees to help, per Jasiri's request.
Just then, Anga spots Zira's son, Kovu, standing on Pride Rock. Zira's daughter, Vitani, arrives with a strange pride of lionesses and launches into battle against the Lion Guard. Ono leads Mzingo and his parliament in distracting Vitani's scout, Tazama. Kion is about to use the Roar of the Elders to finish off Vitani and her pride when Kiara appears with Kovu and explains that the Outsiders have joined the Pride Landers. Though confused, Kion halts his attack.
At Pride Rock, Rafiki explains how Zira's pride had changed allegiance due to Kiara and Kovu's intervention. However, Zira had clung to her hatred, and it had destroyed her. The Lion Guard then leaves to greet old friends and family around the kingdom. Ono visits Kulinda and Ona, and dances happily with them.
The next morning, the Lion Guard enters the Lair of the Lion Guard, only to find that Vitani and her pride are already within. Vitani argues that she should lead the Lion Guard, as she is the sister of the future king, but Kion argues that, as the future queen's brother, it is his duty to lead the Lion Guard. Just then, Laini approaches, begging for help, and both Lion Guards rush off to assist her.
They follow Laini to where Thurston is stuck in a hole. The two Lion Guards argue over who should rescue Thurston, but Azaad merely approaches Thurston and tells him to back out of the hole. Thurston does so, and Kion comments that they must sort out their problems in order to avoid quarreling. Thurston suggests a competition to determine which team is better, and both Lion Guards agree to the challenge.
Later, Rafiki announces the Battle of the Lion Guards to a crowd of Pride Landers. He explains that there will be five competitions to determine who is the fiercest, strongest, fastest, keenest of sight, and bravest in the Pride Lands. Ono is named the judge.
Ono spectates each event and declares the rules and winners. Eventually, after Beshte, Bunga, Fuli, and Anga all complete their contests and bring the teams to a tie, Ono announces that the win will be determined by Kion and Vitani's challenge. Vitani calls for a mashindano, or a physical fight. Kion is appalled and warns her that she does not stand a chance against the Roar, but Vitani asserts that she can be the fiercest without the Roar. This causes Kion to recall Askari's statement that only one who can let go of the Roar can truly master it. Realizing that Vitani is the true leader of the Lion Guard, Kion relinquishes his team's duties to Vitani and her pride. Vitani is then able to use the Roar of the Elders, as she is now the protector of the Pride Lands.
Askari appears in the clouds overhead and praises Kion for his decision. He adds that Kion has truly mastered the Roar, but Kion counters that he is no longer the leader of the Lion Guard. To this, Askari reminds him that the Tree of Life needs the Roar's protection as well. The rest of Kion's Lion Guard agrees to protect the Tree of Life alongside Kion.
After Kion's decision, Vitani questions Kion on what it means to master the Roar, and Kion demonstrates by picking up Pride Rock with the power of the Roar, which amazes his spectators, including Ono.
Later, Kion marries Rani at the Tree of Life, becoming its king. Ono witnesses the coronation ceremony.
==Physical appearance==
Ono is a rather small and delicate bird, with a thin frame and skinny legs. His feathers are white, though colored tangerine orange on the tips of his wings, a strip around his neck, and his brilliant feathered crest. His legs are black, though they turn orange around the feet and joints.
As far as facial features go, Ono has softer features than many of his companions. His eyebrows are thin, and his beak is long, sharp, and as orange as his crest. His eyelids are colored a soft lavender, and his eyes are black.
Like the rest of the Lion Guard, Ono had a mark on his left shoulder in the shape of a lion's head. This was briefly lost when Anga was appointed to the Lion Guard, and then permanently after Kion surrendered leadership of the Guard to Vitani. However, upon deciding to return permanently to the Tree of Life, Ono and the others received the mark of the Night Pride on their right shoulders.
==Personality and traits==
One of the more easygoing members of the Lion Guard, Ono is difficult to faze. Even in the midst of an intense hunt, he responds good-naturedly to Bunga's abrupt interruption and greets his friends with delight. Friendly, attractive, and group-oriented, he is a bird who is used for spending time around other animals and is content to be part of a group.
Despite his sharp social skills and optimism, Ono is exceptionally blunt and unequivocal, so he is able to lay out his feelings without sugar-coating. In the face of a difficult battle, he shows more reservation than the others, admitting his own misgivings about the fight. In addition, he has a dry sense of humor, which he also employs with little reserve.
Ono is by far the most down-to-earth, realistic member of the Lion Guard, always thinking things through before jumping in. Perhaps this is in part because of his keen eye and ability to step back and assess before taking action. His intellect is sharp, and unlike some members of his team, he has the cleverness and patience to act on it.
When it comes to his role on the Lion Guard, Ono is brave and has a knack for following the rules. He obeys Kion's orders without question and proves himself to be plucky and thrifty, considerably useful when it comes to scouting out a situation. His principles are clear in his willingness to fight with his full heart for the Circle of Life, and he is a valued member of the Lion Guard for his intelligence and ability to see things from afar.
==Trivia==
* Ono is voiced by Atticus Shaffer.
* Ono's catchphrase "Hapana!" means "Oh no!" in Swahili.
* Ono has a fear of bats.
* Ono is the youngest member of his Lion Guard.
==References==
Category:Characters
Category:The Lion Guard members
Category:The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar characters
Category:Males
Category:Pride Landers
Category:Animals of the Tree of Life
Category:The Lion Guard characters
Category:Night Pride members
Category:Canon articles