Bunga

Bunga is a male honey badger. He is the former bravest of the Lion Guard. He currently serves as a member of the Night Pride. He is the adoptive nephew of Timon and Pumbaa.
When Kion became the leader of the Lion Guard, he chose Bunga to be its bravest member. Initially, Simba did not approve of Kion's teammates, as they were not lions. However, when the group managed to save a herd of gazelles from Janja's clan, Simba at last accepted them as the new protectors of the Pride Lands.
Later, the spirit of Scar emerged and began to gather an army of incensed Outlanders to wage war on the Pride Lands. Over the seasons, the Lion Guard protected the Pride Lands from the Army of Scar's attacks. Eventually, the Pride Landers invaded the Outlands, and Kion destroyed Scar's spirit by summoning the Great Lions of the Past to cast judgment on him. However, during the battle, Kion got bitten and scarred by Ushari, and resolved to seek healing at the Tree of Life. The Lion Guard agreed to accompany him there.
Together, the Lion Guard traveled to the Tree of Life, where Kion healed of his wounds. At one point, an army of predators attacked the Tree of Life, and the Lion Guard allied with the Night Pride to protect the Tree of Life's residents. Ultimately, the Lion Guard chose to forfeit their roles as the protectors of the Pride Lands to Vitani's self-formed Lion Guard and joined the Night Pride instead.
==Biography==
===Early life===
As an infant, Bunga got separated from his birth parents. One day, while eating grubs, an infant Bunga overheard Timon and Pumbaa singing "Utamu" and approached them. While Pumbaa took an instant shining to Bunga, Timon tried to trick the infant into looking for grubs under Mapema Rock while he and Pumbaa ran away. However, Bunga soon returned with grubs, and Timon awkwardly thanked him. Pumbaa asked Timon if they could "keep" Bunga, but Timon pointed out that they had already raised a lion and argued that Bunga could look after himself.
When Bunga refused to leave, Timon led Bunga to a tree on the edge of a cliff and dared the infant to fetch some Utamu grubs from the tree's branches. To Timon's utter shock, Bunga climbed the tree and fetched the Utamu grubs. Impressed by Bunga's bravery, Timon at last allowed the honey badger to stay with him and Pumbaa.
While still young, Bunga befriended Kion, the prince of Pride Rock. One day, the two cubs escaped Zazu's care and wandered into Pua's territory. Upon seeing a float of crocodiles in his path, Bunga ordered them to get out of his way. Pua warned the youngsters to leave his float's turf, and Makuu asked if Bunga and Kion meant to challenge him. Bunga immediately challenged Makuu, only to ask what the word "challenge" meant. Kion quickly jumped to Bunga's defense, and the crocodiles began to surround the cubs, angry and bent on eating them.
Just then, Zazu intervened and warned Pua that Kion was Simba's son. Makuu argued that Bunga and Kion had directly challenged their float, and Pua added that Simba respected the crocodile way. Zazu agreed and added that he respected the crocodile way as well, after which he offered himself up in Kion's place. Impressed by Zazu's bravery and unwilling to upset Simba, Pua let Bunga and Kion go, and Zazu ushered the cubs out of the crocodiles' territory.
Later, while Bunga, Beshte, and Kion were playing, Fuli approached and reported that a hyena was stealing an egg from the Pride Lands. Together, the four friends raced to the border of the Pride Lands and confronted the hyena, Janja, as well as his cronies, Cheezi and Chungu. Kion ordered Bunga to get the egg, and Bunga obediently snatched the egg out of the hyenas' clutches while the rest of the Lion Guard drove the hyenas out. Once the hyenas had gone, the egg hatched into Ono.
===Cubhood===
====Dawn of the Lion Guard====
On Pride Rock, Simba was teaching Kiara about life as a future monarch when Bunga and Kion interrupted them with a game of Baobab Ball. Simba chastised the two and told them to take their game away from Pride Rock, so they left to play elsewhere in the Pride Lands. While playing, the two lost their baobab fruit in the Outlands. Bunga attempted to retrieve it, only to get attacked by Cheezi and Chungu. Before the hyenas could hurt Bunga, Kion intervened and roared so loudly that the hyenas dropped Bunga, who climbed to safety.
Meanwhile, Rafiki and Simba overheard Kion's roar, and the two came to the conclusion that it was time for him to lead the Lion Guard. When Bunga and Kion returned to Pride Rock, Rafiki led them to the Lair of the Lion Guard, where he explained that Scar had led the Lion Guard until he had lost his powers. Simba then tasked Kion with gathering a new Lion Guard to protect the Pride Lands.
Bunga and Kion set out right away, and Kion asked Bunga if he would join the team. Bunga accepted happily, and his adoptive uncles, Timon and Pumbaa, offered him enthusiastic congratulations. Unbeknownst to the friends, they had been spied on by Mzingo, a vulture minion of Janja's, who reported back to his leader about the newly formed Guard. When Janja heard the news, he announced to his clan that they would attack that very night.
On the other side of the savanna, Kion appointed Beshte, Fuli, and Ono to positions on the Lion Guard. He gathered the team together and attempted to show them the Roar of the Elders, but all that came out was a squeak. Just then, Simba arrived and reacted in horror to Kion's choice of teammates. He insisted that the Guard must be comprised of lions only, then berated Kion for treating his role as leader like a game.
Shortly afterward, Bunga called for Kion's help and explained that the hyenas were attacking a herd of gazelles. With no time to lose, Kion assembled the Lion Guard and gifted each of them with the mark of the Guard. Together, the five friends attacked the hyenas, driving them back into the Outlands. Kion finished the fight with the Roar of the Elders, and even Janja fled in terror. Simba happened to be watching from a nearby ridge and realized that his son had been wise in his choice of teammates. He congratulated his son on the victory and accepted his Lion Guard as the new protectors of the Pride Lands.
====Journey to Flat Ridge Rock====
Janja, Cheezi, and Chungu invaded the Pride Lands and chased after a herd of oryx. The Lion Guard raced to the rescue and drove the hyenas away from the herd. As the hyenas started to flee, Kion chased after them, while the rest of the Lion Guard worked to calm the herd. While chasing the hyenas into the Outlands, Kion crossed a log, only for it to break beneath his weight and send him plummeting into the river below.
The rest of the Lion Guard attempted to save him, with Bunga jumping into the river after his friend. However, the current proved to be too rough for him, so Beshte jumped in after him and bore him back to shore. Meanwhile, Kion managed to pull himself to safety on the opposite bank of the river, which was in the Outlands. With no hope of crossing back over, Kion instructed his friends to meet him at Flat Ridge Rock while he navigated the Outlands. Bunga claimed to know where Flat Ridge Rock was, and Kion sent Ono after his friends to ensure that they made it there safely.
Bunga led the Lion Guard into an area of dense jungle. After a few mishaps, including a run-in with Ushari, the friends realized that Bunga was lost. Beshte suggested they talk to Mbeya, who might be familiar with Flat Ridge Rock, and the Lion Guard agreed to the new plan. While Beshte was talking to Mbeya, his friends waited on the edge of the water hole. Eventually, the friends grew impatient and insisted that Beshte wrap up his conversation. Realizing that he had forgotten to ask about Flat Ridge Rock, Beshte rushed back to ask Mbeya for directions, and Bunga noted that Kion never would have made a mistake like that.
With Beshte in the lead, the Lion Guard continued to search for Flat Ridge Rock until Ono spotted it on a faraway ridge. Fuli sped ahead of her friends, and the Lion Guard scrambled to catch up. Once they reached Flat Ridge Rock, they complained that Kion never would have left them behind, and Fuli apologized for having been over-eager.
While at Flat Ridge Rock, the Lion Guard overheard Kion using the Roar of the Elders. They immediately jumped to Kion's defense, ready to fight off Jasiri, but Kion insisted that she was a friend. Together, the Lion Guard and Jasiri walked to the border of the Pride Lands, where Jasiri and Kion exchanged fond farewells.
====Conflict with Makuu====
The Lion Guard heard an animal crying for help and followed the sound to where Pim was stuck in a thorn bush. Though annoyed by the false alarm, the team resolved to free Pim. While Bunga held the bush back, Fuli grabbed Pim and bore him to safety. No sooner had Pim been rescued when Ushari approached and ate him. Indignant, Bunga grabbed Ushari, forced Pim out of his mouth, then threw him into a tree. Pim tried to hug Bunga in gratitude, but, upon smelling the honey badger's stink, he fled in fear.
The Lion Guard traveled to Big Springs, where Beshte showed off his home to his friends. Bunga attempted to get the fish to lick him clean, but they steered clear of his odor. Just then, the friends overheard Makuu challenging his leader, Pua, to a mashindano at Lake Matope. While Kion went to talk to his father about the situation, Ono attempted to clean Bunga, to no avail.
That evening, the Pride Landers gathered for the mashindano, and the Lion Guard watched alongside the royal family. The fight began, and Bunga watched enthusiastically. After Makuu won the mashindano, the Lion Guard gathered in the Lair of the Lion Guard, where Ono attempted to mask Bunga's smell once again. However, he only succeeded in making Bunga sneeze. In the midst of the gathering, Kiara rushed into the Lair and warned Kion that the giraffes had moved into the baboons' forest. The Lion Guard rushed to the rescue, only to discover that Makuu had invaded Big Springs and thus forced all the other animals to switch habitats.
The Lion Guard confronted Makuu over his invasion and asked him to leave Big Springs. However, he refused and mocked Kion for being unwilling to fight. Though Bunga encouraged Kion to use the Roar of the Elders, the cub decided against it, as he did not want to be like Scar and lash out in anger. The Lion Guard returned to Pride Rock, and Kiara revealed that there had been an invasion of baboons in the royal family's den. While the baboons ran around in chaos, wrecking Pride Rock, Ono managed to use mint leaves to rid Bunga of his stink.
Finally, the Lion Guard decided to demonstrate the Roar of the Elders on a grove of trees to show Makuu what he would be in for should he attempt to fight Kion. While Bunga, Fuli, and Ono set out to clear the grove of animals, Beshte and Kion confronted Makuu. As they were clearing the grove, Bunga, Fuli, and Ono spotted Pim sitting peacefully in one of the trees. Though Bunga tried to scare Pim away with his stink, the hyrax was not bothered by the honey badger's new smell, so Bunga was forced to grab him and jump out of the tree with him. Afterward, Ono gave the signal, and Kion roared into the trees, clearing them of their branches. Awestruck, Makuu backed down and led his float out of Big Springs.
After Makuu had left, the animals returned to their habitats, and Basi invited the crocodiles to return to Big Springs once the fish population was higher. From nearby, the Lion Guard watched in satisfaction, and Bunga declared that he hoped his new smell would wear off soon, as Pim would not climb off his back.
====Bunga the Wise====
When the Lion Guard attempted to keep a troop of baboons from falling off a cliff on a loose tree, the baboons refused to see reason, and so Kion sent Bunga up to scare them down. Bunga obediently climbed into the tree and released his stink into the branches, which flushed the baboons out to safety.
After the rescue, the Lion Guard took a breather. However, in the midst of their break, they saw a wall of floodwater surging across the plains. Kion ordered Ono to take a look around, and Ono did so, informing the Guard that Lake Kiziwa was flooding. Bunga proposed that they knock a pile of large rocks into the way of the floodwater, and the Guard executed his plan, momentarily stopping the flood.
As several Pride Landers gathered around, Rafiki approached and started to compliment honey badgers on their wisdom but accidentally dropped the fruit he was carrying and cut himself short. Without waiting for Rafiki to finish, Bunga proclaimed that he was the smartest animal in the Pride Lands and marched off to tell Timon and Pumbaa. Meanwhile, Rafiki continued his comment, adding that honey badgers were only smart when they thought before they acted.
Later, the Lion Guard arrived at Hakuna Matata Falls, where they saw animals lined up to meet Bunga, who had proclaimed himself to be a sage. Bunga, Timon, and Pumbaa bragged about Bunga's wisdom, calling Bunga "Bunga the Wise," and the gathered Pride Landers joined in. Bunga then doled out bad advice to the lined up animals.
Seeing the disaster for what it was, Kion attempted to talk Bunga out of his idea, but the honey badger refused to rejoin the Lion Guard. Timon ushered the Lion Guard away from Bunga, and they reluctantly left. As they walked away, Fuli commented that Bunga was the last animal who should be doling out advice, to which Beshte pointed out that Bunga had stopped the lake from flooding. Kion agreed but admitted that he had a bad feeling about the situation.
While walking the Pride Lands, the Lion Guard freed Mbuni, whose head was stuck in the sand, and she explained that she had been advised to do so by Bunga the Wise. After this, the friends encountered more and more animals who were taking Bunga's bad advice. Finally, Kion admitted that they needed to stop Bunga before it was too late.
Just then, the Lion Guard saw Bunga at the head of a parade, celebrating his great wisdom. Kion ran up and once again attempted to make Bunga see reason, but the honey badger pointed out that everyone loved his advice. Timon added that Bunga had fixed the dam. Just then, the dam broke, and the animals were forced to flee across the plains. Though Timon and Pumbaa urged Bunga to run away, he decided to rejoin the Lion Guard instead.
With Kion in the lead, the Pride Landers ran into a canyon, where they found themselves at a dead end. Trapped, the animals looked to Bunga for wisdom, but he told them to listen to Kion, who truly did know how to handle bad situations. Thinking quickly, Kion ordered the others to stand behind him, then used the Roar of the Elders to send the floodwaters surging backward.
With the Pride Lands saved, the Lion Guard relaxed at a new water hole that had been created by the floodwaters. While there, Rafiki warned Bunga not to bask in a patch of flowers, but Bunga reminded Rafiki that he had called him the wisest animal in the Pride Lands. Rafiki corrected him, saying that honey badgers were only smart when they thought things through. No sooner had he said this when Bunga jumped into the flowers and ended up face-first in mud. Even so, he asserted that he could live with not being the smartest.
====Kiara's temporary queenship====
When Kiara was temporarily put in charge of the Pride Lands, the Lion Guard reacted with relative enthusiasm. Kion, however, was miffed. While the team waited for Ono to join them for their morning patrol, they saw him flying toward Pride Rock. Once they had caught up to him, they witnessed Tiifu and Zuri giving Kiara a royal introduction, and Bunga bowed before her, addressing her as "Your Majesty."
After Kiara received a morning report from Ono, she told the Lion Guard to move a herd of elands so they would not run into bees that had built hives along the path. Unwilling to obey his sister, Kion decided to move the bees instead, which resulted in the colony chasing after the Lion Guard. Bunga, however, stayed behind and snacked on the honey and bees.
After the disaster, Kiara chided her brother for having disobeyed her. She then decided to meet with Janja alone at Broken Rock, for she believed that she knew best. Realizing that she was walking into a trap, Kion called the Lion Guard, and they helped take down Janja and his clan.
====Ono's injury====
While in the midst of a wildebeest stampede, the Lion Guard struggled to see through the thick dust. Kion called to Ono, who could see from overhead, and he helped the Lion Guard chase off Janja, Cheezi, and Chungu, who had started the stampede. While Bunga and Beshte took out Cheezi and Chungu, Kion defeated Janja. However, as Ono was watching the hyenas enter the Outlands, he got sand in his eye and fell out of the sky.
Acting quickly, the Lion Guard brought Ono to Rafiki, who constructed an eye patch for him and told him to stay out of action for three days. Though Kion tried to reassure Ono that the Lion Guard could get by without him, Ono insisted on proving himself and attempted to show off his keen sight to his friends. However, as he was flying over the Pride Lands, he bumped into Mwoga, who observed the Lion Guard's situation and decided to report what he had seen to Mzingo.
Later, Rafiki painted Kion in the Lair of the Lion Guard, and Bunga attempted to pose him for his portrait. In the midst of the painting session, Beshte rushed up to his friends and reported that Janja had been spotted on a ledge overlooking a herd of zebras in the Pride Lands. Horrified, Kion took the Lion Guard to investigate, save Ono, who stayed behind with Rafiki.
As Kion led the Lion Guard into a canyon, Janja, Cheezi, and Chungu dropped rocks on either side of them, trapping them in the ravine. After gloating to Kion, Janja rushed off to pick off the zebra herd, and the Lion Guard attempted to escape the canyon. Just in time, Ono appeared, and Kion instructed him to move the zebras so that he could safely blast the rocks with the Roar of the Elders.
Ono did as instructed, and Kion broke his team out of the ravine. With the Lion Guard back in commission, the hyenas fled, and the Lion Guard returned to Pride Rock. Once there, they reconvened with Rafiki, who had redone his new painting so that Kion was among his friends, not just his teammates.
====Kupatana====
On the day of Kupatana, the Lion Guard expressed their excitement for the upcoming celebration, and Simba reminded them that Kupatana was a day of peace where all the animals in the Pride Lands gathered together. In the midst of the conversation, the Lion Guard overheard a jackal pup being chased by Janja and his clan in the Outlands. Though Kion was hesitant to interfere with Outlands business, Simba encouraged him to save the jackal for the sake of Kupatana.
With Kion in the lead, the Lion Guard entered the Outlands and fought off the hyenas. To Kion's surprise, instead of putting up a fight, Janja simply let the Guard take the jackal pup. Once the hyenas had gone, Kion checked on the jackal pup, who introduced himself as Dogo and asked if he could go to the Pride Lands with the Lion Guard. At first, Kion hesitated, but at a cute look from Dogo, he allowed the pup to join them.
Once in the Pride Lands, the Lion Guard explained Kupatana to Dogo and invited him to join in on the celebration, despite Fuli and Ono's protests. They then granted him a hillside to use as his new home, and Kion led the Lion Guard away for their daily patrol.
While on patrol, Bunga and Beshte spotted Dogo's brothers making themselves at home in aardvark warrens. When the amount of jackals became too much for them, they called out for Kion, who raced to the rescue. Once at the scene of the incident, Kion attempted to find Dogo among the jackal pups, and Reirei stepped forward, introducing herself and Goigoi as Dogo's parents. She then appealed to Kion to let them stay in the Pride Lands, for Dogo could not stay on his own, away from his family. Though miffed, Kion agreed to her demands and made her promise to stop stealing from the aardvarks.
After sorting out the situation, the Lion Guard rescued Mbeya from a mud pit. No sooner had they finished when they heard several Pride Landers crying out in anger. The Lion Guard found out that the jackals had been stealing again, and Kion lectured Reirei for her pack's behavior. Reirei, however, claimed that the customs of the Pride Lands were so different from their own and asked if her family could participate in the Kupatana celebration. Kion reluctantly allowed the jackals to attend Kupatana, but only if they treated the other Pride Landers with respect.
Later that day, the Kupatana celebration began, and the animals witnessed the blooming of the baobab blossoms. However, in the midst of the proceedings, Reirei's pack broke through the crowd of animals and launched an attack. As the chaos continued down below, Kion and Simba implored the Pride Landers to work together to fight off the jackals, and Kion jumped down to join the Lion Guard in wrangling up the jackal family. Bunga managed to grab Dogo by his tail and told the jackal pup that he was not cute anymore. Together, the Lion Guard cornered the jackals, and Kion ordered them to return to the Outlands. Reirei pleaded for a second chance until Simba stepped forward and roared, frightening the jackals into fleeing.
With the jackals gone, Kion apologized for his mistake, and Simba reminded him that it had been he who had encouraged Dogo's rescue. He then pointed out that all the Pride Landers had stood together in fighting off the jackals, just as the spirit of Kupatana encouraged. Bunga then began to eat the fallen baobab blossoms, and many of the Pride Landers joined in.
====Ushari's bite====
While the Lion Guard was directing a herd of cape buffalo away from a mudslide, Bunga got flung on top of Ushari. Out of pure reflex, Ushari bit him, and Ono proclaimed that the bite was venomous. With Bunga on Beshte's back, the Lion Guard raced to Rafiki and told him what had happened to Bunga. Despite Bunga's dramatic display of mortal injury, Rafiki proclaimed that he was immune to snake bites, and Fuli got annoyed at Bunga for having faked being in pain. Timon and Pumbaa, however, were relieved and resolved to throw a feast in celebration of Bunga's immunity. None of the other Lion Guard members could come, save Fuli, who had plans to hunt by herself. Horrified, Timon and Pumbaa insisted that she join them.
Once Fuli arrived at Hakuna Matata Falls, Timon and Pumbaa offered her a platter of bugs, but she politely declined. Meanwhile, Bunga attempted to climb into the mouth of a crocodile, since he was "immune," and Fuli saved him at the last minute.
Later, Bunga bragged about his immunity to Kion, who remained unconvinced. Shortly afterward, a porcupine sarcastically suggested that Bunga play in a volcano, and he agreed to the challenge. Without his friends, he ventured to the Outlands volcano, where he attempted to test his immunity by climbing to the very top. On his way up the volcano, he got spotted by Cheezi, who alerted Janja to his presence.
With Janja in the lead, the hyenas cornered Bunga in the volcano. Instead of being intimidated, Bunga cried out that he was immune, and Fuli overheard him. At the last second, she swooped in to save Bunga from Janja's clutches, but in the process, the two got trapped on a rock in the midst of a lava stream. Janja and his cronies attempted to take advantage of their precarious position, but the rest of the Lion Guard showed up at the last second and helped Bunga and Fuli escape over a fallen tree.
Once safely back in the Pride Lands, the Lion Guard resolved to cool off at the water hole, and Kion reminded Fuli that she did not have to come. Fuli thanked Kion for understanding but reassured him that she still enjoyed the company of her friends and that she thought of them as family. The five friends then joined in on a group hug.
====Search for Utamu====
While checking on a herd of cape buffalo, the Lion Guard realized that the herd had settled near a geyser. When the geyser exploded, the herd took off in a panic, only for Fuli to calm them down. The rest of the Lion Guard was impressed, but no sooner had they abated the danger when three galagos cried out for help. Before Kion could instruct his team, Fuli rushed to the rescue, saving the galagos on her own. Kion lectured her for having rushed ahead of her teammates, but Fuli reminded him that she had known that she could handle it by herself.
Shortly afterward, the Lion Guard stumbled across Mapema Rock, and Bunga resolved to hunt for Utamu grubs. Just then, the team heard a cry for help, and Ono scouted ahead and reported that a serval had tried to jump across Big Ravine. Once again, without waiting for instruction, Fuli made the save on her own, and Kion confronted her in a fury.
After the argument, Kion instructed Fuli to rest while the other members of the Lion Guard helped Bunga find Utamu grubs. When the group appeared to get lost in their search, Bunga instructed them to follow a group of dung beetles. While following the dung beetles, Bunga told his friends about the day he had met his adoptive uncles, Timon and Pumbaa. Eventually, Bunga reached the tree where the Utamu were and attempted to climb it in an effort to fetch some Utamu for his uncles. However, the branch broke, and the Utamu fell into the ravine below. As Bunga grieved, Kion gently reminded him that they had just spotted vultures circling over the savanna and that an animal may need their help.
Meanwhile, Mzingo's parliament attacked an exhausted Fuli. Just in time, the Lion Guard fought them off, and Kion used the Roar of the Elders to blow the parliament away. Once the vultures were gone, Fuli thanked her friends for having saved her and promised to wait for them on the next mission.
After the rescue, the Lion Guard traveled to Hakuna Matata Falls, where Bunga admitted to his uncles that he had failed to catch them any Utamu. Timon reminded the honey badger that they celebrated not because of the Utamu, but because of their relationship with him. They then revealed that Utamu grubs had fallen out of the sky, and the group shared in on the feast.
====Training with Mtoto====
The Lion Guard got alerted to a hyena attack and arrived on the scene, demanding to know where the hyenas were. At Kion's cry, a group of young animals emerged from the thicket and explained that they had simply been playing "Lion Guard." Kion chided them for having scared their fellow Pride Landers and warned them of the dangers of pretending to be hyenas, and the young animals vowed to never play in such a way again.
Afterward, Mtoto approached his idol, Beshte, and suggested that the real Lion Guard play with them. The other young animals were excited by this idea, but Kion admitted that they had business elsewhere. However, Mtoto begged Beshte to stay, and the hippopotamus invited Mtoto to watch the Lion Guard train.
Once at the training grounds, Beshte told his teammates that he had brought along Mtoto, and Kion agreed to let the young elephant train with them. First, the team did an obstacle course, but when it was Mtoto's turn to dash through the water, he got water in his trunk and sprayed it all over Fuli. After Mtoto's mistake, Kion decided to run a stealth-surround drill, during which the team attempted to sneak up on him without alerting him to their presence. However, as they were drilling, Mtoto accidentally fell down a steep cliff and landed on an unprepared Bunga.
After Beshte left to walk Mtoto home, Kion continued to train his team by pitting Bunga against Fuli in a race. Though Bunga initially assumed that he had beaten Fuli, he discovered that she had dashed ahead of him during the race. After the results were sorted out, Kion asked Ono to look for Beshte, who had not shown up for training yet. When Ono returned with no leads, the rest of the Lion Guard set out in search of Beshte, and they stumbled across Mtoto's friends, who informed the team that Beshte was saving Mtoto from the hyenas.
Ono happened to catch sight of Beshte and Mtoto trapped between the hyenas and a float of crocodiles, and he raced back to alert the rest of the Lion Guard. As Beshte and Mtoto defended themselves, the rest of the Lion Guard appeared and dispatched of the crocodiles. In the chaos, the hyenas got knocked into the pool, where they were chased in circles by the crocodile float.
====Encounter with Tamaa====
The Lion Guard got alerted to the presence of three predators: Goigoi, Janja, and Makuu. The animals who had overheard the predators rushed up to Kion, begging him for help, and the Lion Guard set out to resolve the problem. While Kion attempted to find Janja, Beshte and Bunga searched the river bank for Makuu, and Fuli and Ono tracked down Goigoi. Despite sniffing around the sites of the incidents, the Lion Guard failed to yield any results, save for the thievery of the victims' food. Confused, Kion pressed the victims for more information, and he discovered that Goigoi, Janja, and Makuu had all said the same thing to their prey.
Just then, the Lion Guard overheard Janja and followed his voice to where a drongo named Tamaa was sitting in a bush. The Lion Guard asked him for information, and he pointed them in the right direction. However, as they were following Tamaa's instructions, Ono suddenly instructed the Lion Guard to turn back. Once the team had returned to Tamaa, they witnessed him mimicking Janja's voice in order to scare off a hyrax. Furious, Kion confronted Tamaa for his wrongdoing, and the drongo admitted that he had been the one scaring off animals in order to steal their food. He then explained his voice mimicry talents to the Lion Guard. Despite Tamaa's impressive skills, Kion remained unimpressed and made the bird promise to only use his own voice from then on.
No sooner had Tamaa made his promise when the Lion Guard overheard the real Janja chasing down a herd of impalas. They raced to the rescue and put a stop to the hyena's schemes, forcing Janja and his cronies, Cheezi and Chungu, to return to the Outlands.
Shortly afterward, the Lion Guard happened across Thurston, who was fervently trying to escape danger. Upon being questioned, he revealed that he and the impalas had heard Kion instructing them to go to the Outlands for safety. Suspicious, Kion surmised that Janja was forcing Tamaa to herd impalas into the Outlands for his own satisfaction, and the Lion Guard rushed to put a stop to the scheme.
Just as the hyenas were cornering Tamaa in the Outlands, the real Lion Guard arrived and chased the hyenas away from Tamaa and the herd of impalas. Together, they escorted the impalas back to the Pride Lands, where Tamaa vowed to only use his voice for good from then on. After making his promise, Tamaa imitated Bunga's voice and swooped away, and Bunga remarked that he really did have a great voice.
====Dangerous premonitions====
The Lion Guard was rescuing an infant gazelle whose hoof was stuck under a large rock. Beshte rushed down and lifted the rock off the gazelle's hoof, but the moment Bunga pulled him free, they both went tumbling over the edge of a steep drop. Just in time, Kion grabbed hold of Bunga, and both animals were pulled to safety.
After the rescue, Ono escorted the gazelle home while the rest of the team headed to the Lair of the Lion Guard. While there, Bunga watched Rafiki draw paintings on the cave wall. Eventually, he managed to sneak off with Rafiki's bakora staff and used it to bring two of the cave paintings to life. While one painting depicted a herd of running zebras, the other showed a large rock falling to the earth.
Just then, Ono swept into the Lair and reported a zebra stampede, and the Lion Guard took off to sort out the problem. However, as they were running alongside the stampede, Bunga recognized the pile of rocks from Rafiki's painting. Horrified, he realized that the rocks were going to fall on the zebra herd, and so, with the Lion Guard's help, he steered the zebras to safety, and the rocks fell harmlessly to the earth.
After the mission, Bunga showed Beshte Rafiki's paintings, while Kion stayed behind and questioned the zebras as to why they had stampeded. Once in the Lair of the Lion Guard, Bunga showed Beshte the paintings, and the two spotted another painting of Kion in a tree. When Bunga touched Rafiki's staff to the wall, it showed Kion begin to plummet from the tree. Terrified for their friend's safety, Bunga and Beshte resolved to warn Kion about the situation. On their way out of the cave, Bunga tossed Rafiki's staff onto some paints, which spilled them across the cave floor.
thumb|250px|Bunga and Kion land on top of Janja.
Across the Pride Lands, Janja's clan attacked the zebra herd, and Ono rushed off to fetch the rest of his teammates. Meanwhile, on the peak of Pride Rock, Bunga and Beshte attempted to warn Kion of the cave paintings' foresight, but the cub scoffed at their theory. No sooner had he denied their worries when Ono swooped overhead, warning the team of the hyena attack, and the Lion Guard took off to sort out the problem.
Once at the site of the attack, Kion instructed his teammates to take on Cheezi and Chungu while he handled Janja. As Janja chased a zebra around a large rock, Kion decided to climb an overhanging tree branch in order to ambush Janja from above, but Bunga raced after Kion and tackled him to the ground. Together, the two fell on top of Janja, who then took off for the Outlands.
thumb|left|250px|Bunga, Beshte, and Fuli attempt to save Kion from falling off a tree.
After the awkward rescue, Kion questioned Bunga as to why he had tackled him, but Bunga simply whispered to Beshte that Kion had fallen from the tree, just as the paintings had predicted. Beshte, however, noted that it had been Bunga who had knocked Kion from the tree, so the cub might still be in danger. Just then, Ono reported that three zebras were stranded on the other side of Maji Baridi Falls.
Along the way, Bunga attempted to save Kion from tripping over a tree branch, but the branch turned out to be Ushari. A suspicious Fuli confronted Bunga and Beshte, and they explained the danger that Kion was in. As a result, Fuli decided to help them. Just then, Ono called for Kion to climb a tree and take a look around, but Bunga, Beshte, and Fuli scrambled to save him, leaping up on the tree trunk so that the entire tree fell to the ground.
thumb|250px|Bunga warns Kion not to climb a tree.
Kion demanded to know what his friends were doing, but he got interrupted when Ono spotted a shortcut through the trees. Bunga suggested a different route, and Beshte and Fuli supported him until the team took the new route, which was through a neck-deep, muddy river. While paddling through the river, Bunga explained to Ono the danger that Kion was in, and Ono agreed to help his friends protect Kion.
The Lion Guard arrived at Maji Baridi Falls, where Bunga, Beshte, Fuli, and Ono became so distracted worrying over Kion that they failed to notice him crossing a large log over a raging river. In a panic, the friends crossed the log to save him, but the log tipped, throwing them to the other side of the river. Furious, Kion demanded to know why his friends were acting so strangely, and Bunga reminded him that Rafiki's paintings had predicted his fall from a tree branch. Kion, however, refused to believe the theory.
thumb|left|250px|Bunga cleans up spilled paints.
With Kion in charge once more, Beshte rose to his feet and accidentally sent a rock rolling toward the zebras, who panicked and fell into the river. The Lion Guard raced alongside the zebras until they reached the end of the falls, where Kion resolved to climb down on an overhanging tree branch and roar the zebras to safety. Bunga protested adamantly, as he was worried for his friend's safety, but Kion denounced the paintings once and for all and climbed down to save the zebras. From the tip of the tree branch, Kion used the Roar of the Elders to blow the zebras to safety. On his way back up the falls, he slipped and fell but managed to catch himself and rejoin his teammates.
After the rescue, the Lion Guard returned to the Lair of the Lion Guard, where Rafiki showed the friends that the paintings had been depictions of the past, not the future. With his staff, he showed that the zebra herd had not been running toward the rocks, but away from them after they had fallen. He then explained that the cub they had thought was Kion was actually Nala's father. After the revelation, Rafiki forced Bunga to clean up the spilled paints, and Bunga commented that he had liked the other paintings better. The Lion Guard then shared in a hearty laugh.
====Mbali Fields migration====
The Lion Guard rushed to stop a herd of gazelles from fighting with a herd of zebras. Once at the scene of the fight, Beshte recognized the gazelles as being Swala's herd and the zebras as being Muhimu's herd. The Lion Guard raced down the slope to put a stop to the fight, only for Bunga to get accidentally sat on by Muhimu. Despite Bunga's predicament, the two herd leaders continued to squabble until Kion stepped forward and roared for silence. With the herds now paying attention, he and Beshte pointed out that the grazing grounds in the Pride Lands were open to everyone, but Muhimu and Swala explained that there was only one small patch of grass left for them to share.
thumb|250px|The Lion Guard leads the herds to Mbali Fields.
After consulting with Simba, Kion resolved to lead the two herds to Mbali Fields. Upon reconvening with Muhimu and Swala, Bunga announced to the herds that they were going to be taken across the Pride Lands to a new grazing ground. During his announcement, he ran into Muhimu, but she refused to acknowledge that she had sat on him earlier. She then told him that her need to reach the grazing ground was imperative.
Meanwhile, Ono reported back to Kion about a route that they could take to Mbali Fields. After Ono's report, Kion announced to the herds that he would be leading them to Mbali Fields, and the two herds cheered for him. With Kion in the lead, the herds set out, and the Lion Guard led them safely through the Pride Lands.
thumb|left|250px|Bunga saves Muhimu from a flood.
Eventually, the herds made it to a canyon and paused to behold Mbali Fields. Losing patience, Muhimu charged down the canyon with her herd, and Swala and her gazelles tore after them. The Lion Guard desperately attempted to stop them, but, too late, a huge pile of rocks fell into the midst of the canyon, blocking the way into Mbali Fields. As more rocks continued to fall, Bunga leaped onto Muhimu, pushing her out of the way, and she realized that he had just saved her life.
Meanwhile, Kion realized that they must scout out another route, for the rocks were unmovable. Ono did as commanded, but when he returned to Kion, he admitted that the only other way to Mbali Fields would take them through the Outlands. Grimly, Kion accepted their fate.
thumb|250px|Bunga and Kion defend Muhimu from Janja's clan.
As the herds set out, a storm broke over the canyon, and the combined herds began to complain about Kion's leadership. No sooner had they finished griping when a flash flood forced the herds to race to higher ground. While Ono led the herds to higher ground, the rest of the Guard rescued those still trapped in the rising waters, including Bunga, who saved Muhimu's life once more.
Once the herds were safe, they began to complain about Kion, criticizing his choice to take them through the canyon. However, Muhimu spoke up and took the blame for having started the stampede. She then promised to make things easier from then on, and Kion thanked her for her loyalty. Due to Muhimu's words of encouragement, the herds trusted Kion to lead them into the Outlands. However, just as they entered the Outlands, Muhimu went into labor, and Kion was forced to make a difficult choice. While he sent Beshte, Fuli, and Ono ahead to keep leading the herds, he and Bunga stayed behind to help Muhimu give birth.
thumb|left|250px|Bunga plays with Muhimu's foal.
Under the careful watch of Swala and several others, Muhimu gave birth to a son. No sooner had the zebra foal been born when he emitted a loud bray, which attracted the attention of Janja, Cheezi, and Chungu. The three hyenas plunged down the ridge in the hopes of scattering the gazelles and zebras, but Kion ordered them to protect Muhimu and her foal while he and Bunga took on the hyenas.
Together, Bunga and Kion distracted Cheezi and Chungu, but Janja managed to break through their defense to attack the zebras. However, Muhimu's foal kicked him in the face, and the hyenas scrambled to escape the herds' teamwork. With the hyenas defeated, the Lion Guard led the rest of the gazelles and zebras to Mbali Fields, where Bunga played happily with Muhimu's foal.
====Sinkhole====
While the Lion Guard was helping some sable antelope out of the mud, they heard the rumble of a forming sinkhole in the distance. Ono reported to Kion that Simba had fallen into the hole, and Kion left his teammates to make sure that his father was all right. After finishing with the antelope, the rest of the Lion Guard arrived at the sinkhole, and Bunga jumped into the sinkhole after Simba.
As the others debated what to do, Bunga made several suggestions as to how they could climb out of the hole. At last, he decided to make a running start and tried to jump his way up the walls. His efforts, however, caused part of the walls to collapse, and both he and Simba got buried in rock. A worried Ono swooped over the debris, but both Bunga and Simba emerged unscathed, and Simba berated Bunga for not thinking before he acted.
Just then, Kion got an idea and ran off with his friends. The Lion Guard soon returned with a massive log and tipped it into the sinkhole. However, upon hitting the bottom of the pit, it splintered. Just then, Bunga spotted a tunnel in the side of the sinkhole, and Simba realized that it could lead to Nandembo Caverns. He informed Kion of his suspicions, and Kion agreed to meet up with Bunga and Simba in the tunnels. The two groups split off, and Simba followed Bunga into the caverns.
As they were traveling through the tunnel, Simba became frustrated with Bunga for picking random routes without assessing whether they were the best options to take. The two spiraled into an argument until they became so frustrated with one another that they split off in different directions. After picking the right tunnel, Simba came to realize that Bunga was going the wrong way. Realizing this, he had a change of heart and went back to ensure that Bunga made it out of the caverns safely.
While Bunga and Simba struggled to find each other, Bunga began to sing "Hakuna Matata", and Simba sang with him until they reconvened in the tunnels. Once reunited, Simba explained that Timon and Pumbaa had sung that song to him many times while he had been growing up, and Bunga realized that the two were like brothers.
Meanwhile, Kion brought Timon and Pumbaa into the tunnels, but the two merely sobbed over their two lost nephews. Bunga and Simba happened to hear their cries and raced through the caverns until they reached a large ravine that separated them from the rest of the Lion Guard. Suddenly, Simba got an idea. With Bunga on his back, he leaped across the ravine to safety, and Timon and Pumbaa greeted them with delight. Meanwhile, Kion was shocked that Bunga and Simba had reconciled their differences.
Across the Pride Lands, the elephants finished their concert, and Kiara and Nala congratulated them on their performance. Just then, Simba arrived with the Lion Guard, Timon, and Pumbaa and apologized to Ma Tembo and her herd for his tardiness. In order to make it up to the herd, Bunga, Timon, Pumbaa, the royal family, and the Lion Guard sang "Hakuna Matata" for them.
====Beshte's imaginary friend====
In order to improve their tracking skills, the Lion Guard played hide-and-seek. During the game, Beshte hid in a bush, where he encountered an okapi named Ajabu. The two became quick friends, and Beshte took Ajabu on a tour of the Pride Lands. Meanwhile, the Lion Guard continued to play hide-and-seek, unaware that Beshte was missing. While playing, Fuli spotted leopard tracks, and the Lion Guard traced the leopard to where he was stalking a herd of gazelles. The Lion Guard attempted to chase him off, but he simply introduced himself as Makucha and declared that they would have to catch him in order to make him stop hunting. Fuli led the team in chasing Makucha, but he escaped by jumping across Big Ravine.
After Makucha escaped, the Lion Guard resolved to stop him, as no one in the Pride Lands knew that leopards were predators. Kion started to break his team up into groups but realized that Beshte was still hiding. Bunga and Ono volunteered to find him and soon spotted him overlooking the Pride Lands. Beshte started to introduce Bunga and Ono to his new friend, Ajabu, only to realize that the okapi was gone. Beshte tried to explain that Ajabu was half-giraffe and half-zebra, but Bunga and Ono theorized that Beshte had made up an imaginary friend.
Just then, the rest of the Lion Guard showed up, and the team set out in search of Makucha. As they were searching, Beshte caught sight of Ajabu and led the team on a frenzied chase across the Pride Lands. When the chase ended in failure, Bunga and Ono criticized Beshte for trying to make them believe in such an unbelievable animal. Hurt, Beshte walked off by himself, and Kion chided Bunga and Ono for hurting their friend's feelings. Bunga and Ono saw the wisdom in Kion's words and apologized to Beshte, proclaiming that they believed him now. With Beshte's feelings amended, the team set out in search of Ajabu so that they could warn him about Makucha.
Unbeknownst to the team, Ajabu worked up his courage and introduced himself to a herd of zebras. While grazing with the herd, Ajabu caught sight of Makucha and raced away in a panic. The cries of the zebras alerted the Lion Guard to the situation, but they arrived too late to spot Ajabu. After noticing that the zebras had been left unharmed, Kion theorized that Makucha was after Ajabu alone, and the team vowed to protect the okapi from harm. Just then, Ajabu raced past with Makucha hard on his hooves, and the team took off in pursuit. Together, they forced Makucha to leave the Pride Lands, and he departed in search of easier prey.
With Ajabu safe, Beshte introduced his friends to the okapi, who marveled at Bunga, for he had not believed that honey badgers could exist. Beshte wondered what Ajabu would do next, and the okapi admitted that he must return home, even if Makucha was waiting for him there. Suddenly, Kion got an idea and brought Ajabu before his parents, Simba and Nala, who allowed the okapi to take up residence in the Pride Lands.
To celebrate Ajabu's new status as a Pride Lander, the Lion Guard decided to play hide-and-seek with him. No sooner had they made this suggestion when Ajabu vanished, and Bunga commented that he was quite good at disappearing.
====Termite infestation====
While patrolling the Pride Lands at night, Muhangus and Muhanga told the Lion Guard about a pack of hyenas that was scrounging around their dens. With Kion in the lead, the Lion Guard confronted the hyenas, and Kion used the Roar of the Elders to banish them back to the Outlands.
Several days later, the Lion Guard was lounging in the Lair of the Lion Guard when they noticed that the den had become overrun with termites. Bunga was delighted by this turn of events and proceeded to eat every termite he could get his paws on. In the middle of Bunga's feast, Ono flew in and informed the team that a tree in Mekundu Cliffs was about to collapse with a colony of bats inside. Together, the Lion Guard rushed out of the Lair to save the bats.
Along the way, the Lion Guard crossed a log, which snapped and fell into a ravine behind them. The team wondered why it would do such a thing, since it had always been able to hold their weight before, but Kion reminded his friends that they had no time to lose. The Guard proceeded to the tree, where Bunga climbed inside the trunk and woke up the bats. No sooner had the bats flown out when the tree collapsed, and the Lion Guard realized that the termites had been the source of the collapsing trees. Just then, all the other trees in Mekundu Cliffs collapsed, and Kion resolved to ask his father about the situation.
Once the Lion Guard reached Pride Rock, Simba suggested that the team ask the aardwolves about the problem. When Fuli questioned what an aardwolf was, Simba explained that aardwolves kept the termite population under control. Kion asked where they could find the aardwolves, and Simba suggested that they look in old aardvark dens, since that was the aardwolf's favorite place to sleep. Fuli and Kion immediately began to suspect that the problem was their fault, and Kion learned from his father that aardwolves strongly resembled hyenas. This confirmed Kion's fears, and he admitted to his father that he had used the Roar of the Elders to drive the aardwolves out of the Pride Lands. Simba told his son that he had made a mistake and encouraged him to do his best to fix the problem.
After following the aardwolves' scent into the Outlands, the Lion Guard got spotted by the aardwolves, who had taken shelter behind a large boulder. The pack spied on the Lion Guard and overheard them musing over whether they should sneak up behind or surround the aardwolves. Terrified, the pack fled, but they were found a moment later by Bunga, who fumbled into their midst. In a panic, the aardwolves ran away, and the Lion Guard raced after them.
Eventually, the team gave up on the chase, for they realized that the aardwolves were afraid of them. Though the friends were shocked at being perceived as villains, Kion resolved to earn the aardwolves' trust before trying to lead them home. Just then, Ono spotted a nearby aardwolf, Mjomba, and yelled down to his teammates that the aardwolf was running straight for a cliff. Bunga raced ahead of his friends and tackled Mjomba to the ground, effectively saving his life.
The rest of the Lion Guard approached, and Kion explained to Mjomba that the team needed the aardwolves back in the Pride Lands to take care of the termite problem. Mjomba retorted that they should never have driven the pack out to begin with, and Kion apologized for the mistake, admitting that he had mistaken the aardwolves for hyenas. He then told Mjomba that he needed the rest of his pack to return home, since the Pride Lands had become infested with termites. Mjomba was hesitant to comply until Bunga and Ono reminded him that he would get to come home and feast on a kingdom overrun with termites. Ravenous, Mjomba complied and raced ahead of the Lion Guard to find his pack.
Meanwhile, the other aardwolves hid in a cave, only to be found by Goigoi and Reirei. Eventually, the Lion Guard reached the aardwolves' cave, and Kion sent Mjomba ahead to calm the aardwolves into trusting him and his friends. Mjomba arrived and told his friends that the Lion Guard could be trusted, but before the pack could leave with him, Goigoi and Reirei trapped the aardwolves in the cave and launched an attack.
From outside the cave, Kion sensed that something was not right and ordered Ono to peek through the cracks in the rocks to see what was going on. Ono rushed back with a report that the jackals had attacked the aardwolves, and the Lion Guard forced their way into the cave to save the pack. While Fuli led the aardwolves to safety, Kion pinned Reirei to the cave floor and ordered her to go home. She and Goigoi eagerly complied.
With the jackals defeated, the Lion Guard led the aardwolves home. Once back in the Lair of the Lion Guard, the team relaxed, and Bunga lamented the disappearance of the termites. As he lay in a defeated slump, Ono flew in and delivered a thank you present from the aardwolves: a leaf full of termites. Delighted, Bunga began to gobble the termites up and proclaimed that he was feeling much better now.
====Training Badili====
While lounging at Hakuna Matata Falls, the Lion Guard watched Bunga perform several dives into a pool at the base of the falls. In the middle of the game, a group of galagos sprinted onto the scene, yelling for help. Beshte questioned one of the galagos, Laini, on why they were so upset, and Laini explained that a leopard had settled in their tree. Though Kion resolved to help the galagos, Ono informed his teammates that Shingo was stuck in a tree in Ukuni Woods.
After promising to come back for the galagos, the Lion Guard set out to free Shingo, whose neck was stuck in the branches of an acacia tree. Bunga climbed up the trunk and carefully pried Shingo's neck and tongue free, which allowed him to escape the branches of the acacia. Just then, the galagos reappeared, having been frightened away from the falls by Pumbaa's flatulence. The Lion Guard reassured the galagos that they were safe and tried to convince them to return to the falls, but Laini insisted that they remain with the Lion Guard.
With the galagos riding on Beshte's back, the Lion Guard proceeded to the galagos' tree, where they saw the leopard resting in its branches. While the galagos sheltered in a nearby bush, the Lion Guard confronted the leopard, who tried to put up a brave front until his courage failed him, and he cowered before the team. Confused, the Lion Guard questioned whether he was the ferocious leopard who had driven out the galagos, and the leopard, Badili, explained that he had not realized that he had been stealing their home.
The Lion Guard questioned whether Badili had territory of his own, and he admitted that he lived in Mirihi Forest, a patch of woodland in the Back Lands. He went on that he would rather share the galagos' tree than leave, but Kion insisted that Badili return to where he belonged. Though the leopard tried several tactics to stay in the Pride Lands, he eventually gave in and followed the Lion Guard back to Mirihi Forest.
Along the way, Badili stalled for time, and Kion demanded to know why the leopard was not keen on returning home. Instead of answering, Badili forged ahead of the Lion Guard and returned to his tree alone. As the leopard disappeared into the brush, Kion decided to follow him and see why he was acting so strangely. Together, the Lion Guard hid in the bushes near Badili's tree and watched as he got bullied by a fellow leopard, Mapigano. Outraged by Mapigano's cruelty, the Lion Guard rushed to Badili's defense and forced Mapigano to give Badili his territory back. Mapigano begrudgingly left, and Badili thanked the Lion Guard for their help.
The next day, the Lion Guard was patrolling through Embamba Canyon when they were once more met by terrified galagos. The team returned to the galagos' tree, where they found Badili once more resting in its branches. The team asked him why he had left his territory again, and Badili confessed that Mapigano had driven him out again. At Badili's words, Kion realized that he had made a mistake in having chased off Mapigano himself. He informed his team that Badili must face Mapigano alone to show that he was not afraid, then offered to teach Badili how to stand up for himself. Though hesitant, Badili agreed to train with the Lion Guard.
At the start of his training sessions, Badili struggled to act confidently, but over time, he learned to face his fears and be strong and swift. Once fully trained, Badili got tested by the Lion Guard, who questioned him on what he would do if Mapigano challenged him. Badili passed every test, and the Lion Guard expressed their confidence in his newfound determination.
Together, the Lion Guard and Badili returned to Mirihi Forest, where the Lion Guard waited in hiding as Badili confronted Mapigano. Although Badili's confidence wavered at first, he eventually drove Mapigano out of his territory, to the Lion Guard's delight. With Mapigano gone, Badili admitted that he had been terrified, but the Lion Guard reassured him that he had looked nothing short of brave. Badili thanked the Lion Guard for believing in him. Kion quickly corrected him, reminding Badili that he had believed in himself. The Lion Guard then left to inform the galagos that they were clear to return home.
Once back in the Pride Lands, the team took a break at Hakuna Matata Falls but were soon interrupted by Laini, who informed them that someone else had invaded the galagos' tree. The Lion Guard rushed to the scene, only to find Bunga resting in the tree branches with Laini's galago friends. Upon seeing Laini, Bunga pulled her into a hug, and Laini declared that perhaps Badili had not been so bad after all.
====Nne and Tano's attack====
After a rainstorm, the Lion Guard patrolled the kingdom for any signs of trail blockage. Unbeknownst to the team, Janja and his clan were watching from the sidelines and waiting for the Lion Guard to leave the area. Once the team had gone, Janja attempted to ambush a herd of wildebeests, but mid-attack, he slipped on the muddy ground and fell straight into the Lion Guard's paws. Though he attempted to lie his way out of trouble, Kion used the Roar of the Elders to banish him and his cronies back to the Outlands.
After the attack, the Lion Guard continued to patrol the Pride Lands for blocked trails. During their search, they got caught in a mudslide and managed to escape to the sidelines. Once safe, they resolved to clear the now blocked trail from Big Springs to Mekundu Cliffs so that the other Pride Landers could use it once more. Kion ordered Bunga and Ono to keep other animals from using the trail, while he, Beshte, and Fuli cleared scattered debris off the path.
Back in the Outlands, Janja and his new seconds-in-command, Nne and Tano, schemed to enter the Pride Lands and bait the Lion Guard with a stampede of antelope, then switch directions and attack a herd of oryxes instead. Across the savanna, Bunga and Ono managed to stop Twiga from using the blocked up trail, but Thurston ignored their warnings and got trapped in the mud.
Later, Cheezi and Chungu got caught up in a mudslide, and the Lion Guard came to their aid. Once the two were revealed to be Cheezi and Chungu, Kion sent Ono to search of Janja, while Cheezi and Chungu explained that they were no longer affiliated with Janja's clan. Ono soon arrived with news that Janja was nowhere to be seen, and Kion ordered Cheezi and Chungu to return to the Outlands without him. The hyenas protested, reminding Kion that they would just get kicked out again, and the other members of the Lion Guard pointed out that Cheezi and Chungu were too dumb to cause much trouble. Kion questioned whether they would continue to attack the herds, but they declared that they only wanted to eat leftovers. Ono remarked that this would benefit the Circle of Life, and Kion reluctantly agreed to let the hyenas stay in the Pride Lands.
Just then, Ono spotted a herd of stampeding antelope, and the Lion Guard rushed off to resolve the problem. In the midst of the stampede, Janja and his new cronies scared the antelope off, until Nne and Tano pulled to a halt and forced Janja to hide from the Lion Guard with them. They then took off in a different direction, while the Lion Guard continued to pursue the herd of stampeding antelope.
After calming the herd, Kion voiced his suspicion that a hyena was behind the stampede, as he had caught a whiff of hyena scent while pursuing the herd, and instructed Ono to find Cheezi and Chungu. In the meantime, Nne and Tano betrayed Janja and forced him off the edge of a cliff. Janja landed safely on a ledge but found himself trapped and abandoned by his former clan members. Meanwhile, the Lion Guard located Cheezi and Chungu, who denied having started the stampede. The team then overheard Janja yelling for Nne and Tano, and took off to investigate the situation.
Once the Lion Guard located Janja, they questioned him on why he had started the stampede, and Janja explained Nne and Tano's plan to them. As the Lion Guard went to rescue the oryxes from the hyenas, Cheezi and Chungu bounded down the cliff to join Janja. Meanwhile, Nne and Tano trapped the herd of oryxes and moved in for the kill. Just in time, the Lion Guard arrived, and Kion used the Roar of the Elders to force Nne and Tano away from the herd. Across the Pride Lands, Janja rejoiced at the sound of Kion's Roar until the ledge beneath him gave way, and he and his cronies fell to the bottom of the cliff. The Lion Guard arrived to aid them, but Janja insisted that he was all right and prompted Cheezi and Chungu to follow him. Overjoyed, the hyenas took off after their old master.
====Rescuing Tiifu and Zuri====
During the Lion Guard's patrol, Ono reported that rain clouds were moving in and that Mzingo and his parliament were circling in the distance. Suspicious of the vultures' intentions, Kion resolved to ensure that the parliament was not up to trouble. Once the Lion Guard had caught up to the vultures, they saw the parliament attacking a baby baboon and saved the infant's life. Shortly after the rescue, the baby baboon got swept away by floodwaters, and Kion ordered Fuli to follow him down the river and pull him to safety.
Meanwhile, a rainstorm caused Urembo Meadows to flood, and Kiara, Tiifu, and Zuri got trapped on an island in-between two forks of water. Ono happened to spot Kiara and her friends, and he warned Kion about the situation. In the meantime, Fuli returned to the team with the baby baboon, who was clinging to her affectionately, and Kion instructed her to take him to the baboons' home in Nyani Grove. Fuli protested that she should help her teammates save Kiara, but Kion assured her that they could handle the island rescue on their own. At last, Fuli relented and departed for Nyani Grove, with the baby baboon clinging to her back.
At Urembo Meadows, Bunga encouraged Kion to use the Roar of the Elders to get rid of the floodwaters, but Kion pointed out that the island might get destroyed in the process. After a moment of thought, he told his team that they could try to make a bridge instead. Beshte pushed a tree into the midst of the river, but it got swept away by the current. Kiara made her own effort to escape by pushing a rock into the river with Tiifu and Zuri's help. However, the rock simply rolled the other way and disappeared into the floodwaters.
Ono reported Kiara's failed plan to Kion, which made Kion wonder if they should combine their two failed plans. He ordered Bunga and Beshte to push a large boulder into the floodwaters, while Ono instructed Kiara and her friends to collapse a dead tree. The Lion Guard pushed the boulder into the water, and Kiara and her friends pushed the dead tree onto the boulder. To the Lion Guard's delight, the bridge held, and Kiara, Tiifu, and Zuri crossed safely to shore.
Later, Bunga, Kion, Beshte, and Ono watched the Royal Buffalo Wallow from a nearby hill. Just then, Fuli approached and reported that the baby baboon was home safely. Bunga commented that Fuli must be glad to be rid of the baby baboon, but she simply looked back at Mapango Cliffs wistfully.
====Hunting the Zimwi====
A group of young animals gathered at Rafiki's tree for a story about the Zimwi, a legendary creature that stalked the Pride Lands during the full moon. To the young ones' horror, Bunga pointed out that the moon was full that night, and Rafiki warned the group that they may soon hear the Zimwi's call. Just then, the group heard a loud bellowing noise, and Kion demanded that the maker of the noise show himself. After a beat, Beshte emerged from the brush and explained that he was practicing his bellowing for an audition with the Bellow Fellows.
With the young ones' fear abated, Rafiki continued his story by describing the Zimwi as being an eight-legged creature as tall as two giraffes, with long spikes and large teeth. Though the others young animals were frightened by Rafiki's story, Kion scoffed at the notion of the Zimwi being anything more than a tall tale. Rafiki bid the young ones good night and warned them to not let the Zimwi bite.
On the way home, Mtoto questioned whether the Zimwi was real or not, and Kion pointed out the ludicrousness of a creature having eight legs. No sooner had he spoken when a gust of wind howled past, frightening the group. Kion assured his friends that it was just the wind and suggested that the little ones sleep together that night in order to feel safe. Beshte proposed that they do the same, and Bunga invited the rest of the Lion Guard to sleep with him at Hakuna Matata Falls.
Later that night, a rustling in the underbrush scared Mtoto and his friends, who awakened the Lion Guard and told them that they had sighted the Zimwi. Kion doubted their claims, but Timon interrupted and explained that his mother's cousin's friend had known an ox who had been eaten by the Zimwi. The young animals wondered what they should do, and Kion asserted that he and his team would sniff out the Zimwi in order to keep the Pride Lands safe.
Together, the Lion Guard set off in search of the Zimwi. Along the way, they debated whether the Zimwi was real or not, with Kion retaining his disbelief that such a creature could exist. As the team searched, they got startled by a group of genets, whom Bunga proceeded to frighten with descriptions of the Zimwi. After the genets ran off, Kion chastised Bunga for having unnecessarily frightened the genets and instructed him to not tell anyone else about the Zimwi.
The Lion Guard's search continued, during which they ran into a panicked Thurston. Bunga assumed that Thurston was running from the Zimwi, but Thurston stated that the Zimwi was nothing more than a story and explained that he had been spooked by the genets. The very thought of the genets spun him into a panic, and he took off again into the forest.
The team moved on, but along the way, they got frightened by Beshte's continued bellowing practice. Kion reminded the team that there was still no sign of the Zimwi, and Ono jokingly commented that he did not know who was scarier: Beshte or the Zimwi.
As the hunt persisted, Kion paused and remarked that he felt like something was watching them from the bushes. He then ordered his team to fan out. Once they had the underbrush surrounded, he yelled for them to move in. His shout frightened some gazelles who were sheltering in the bushes, and they begged the Lion Guard not to hurt them, for they had simply been hiding. Beshte asked what they had been hiding from, and the gazelles replied that they had spotted the Zimwi and taken shelter in the vegetation.
The gazelles pointed out a shadow against a nearby ravine, and the Lion Guard saw the outline of a tall, spiked figure. The team strode into the gorge, where they came face-to-face with what appeared to be the Zimwi. In a panic, they fled the ravine and startled the gazelles, who began to gallop about the clearing. Kion instructed Beshte to flatten a patch of bushes to allow escape from the glen, and the gazelles poured out into the open, where they ran about without threat of hurting themselves.
With the gazelles safe, Kion expressed shame for having run from the Zimwi. He admitted that he had not been frightened of the monster because he had not believed it could exist, but the moment he had seen it for himself, he had reacted like a coward. He reminded his friends that they were the Lion Guard and could not run away, to which the others braced themselves for the coming confrontation with the Zimwi.
As one, the Lion Guard faced off against the Zimwi. To their horror, the Zimwi's head fell off its body and split into two, revealing two young porcupines. Shocked, Kion asked if the porcupines had been hiding from the Zimwi, and the rest of the team pieced together that Mtoto and his friends had seen the two porcupines huddling together and mistaken them for the Zimwi. Ono added that the Zimwi's "body" had been nothing more than a giant termite mound.
The next day, Beshte braced himself for his audition with the Bellow Fellows. He admitted to being scared, and Kion pointed out that he had had the bravery to face the Zimwi. In better spirits, Beshte came before the Bellow Fellows and completed a series of bellows. The Bellow Fellows reacted with delight, and together, they bellowed with Beshte.
====Conflict with the Outsiders====
While playing Baobab Ball, Bunga and Kion overheard a group of frantic antelope shouting about a hyena in the Pride Lands. Bunga attempted to confront the hyena until Kion recognized her as his old friend, Jasiri, and questioned her as to why she was in the Pride Lands. Jasiri admitted that lions had taken over her family's watering hole and were refusing to share it. Though confused that lions were in the Outlands, Kion agreed to help her sort out the situation and sent Bunga to inform the rest of the Lion Guard of his location.
In the Lair of the Lion Guard, Bunga arrived with Kion's message but got distracted by a race between Fuli and Ono. After Fuli took the victory, Ono wondered how he could fly faster next time. Fuli beat Ono in another race through the Lair, and Ono refused to race her again. Bunga asked Beshte and Rafiki if they would race Fuli instead, but they both refused, with Rafiki wondering who would be foolish enough to challenge the fastest in the Pride Lands to a race. Just then, Rafiki noticed that Kion was missing, and Bunga explained that Kion had gone into the Outlands with Jasiri to help deal with a pride of lions.
Hearing this, Rafiki reacted in horror and informed the Lion Guard that Kion had encountered the Outsiders. He took the Lion Guard to a wall of paintings and explained that Simba had banished the Outsiders to the Outlands after they had retained loyalties to Scar. 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 warned the Lion Guard that there would be trouble if Zira found out that Kion was Simba's son, and the team took off to save their friend.
Across the Outlands, Jasiri encountered the Lion Guard and informed them that Kion had joined forces with Zira and her family. A shocked Lion Guard insisted that Kion would never be a part of Zira's family, and Jasiri berated herself for having believed Zira's lies.
Meanwhile, Kion found himself surrounded by Zira and her pride. Zira warned Kion that this was his last chance to join her, but just then, Kion caught sight of Ono hovering over the pit. Filled with renewed confidence, he yelled out the start of the Lion Guard's catchphrase, which was completed by his teammates as they rushed into the pit. Together, the Lion Guard and Jasiri fended off the Outsiders and cornered them against a wall of the pit.
Realizing that this was Kion's team, Zira mocked the Lion Guard for only having one lion and rallied her lionesses with a cry that they outnumbered their enemies. Bunga urged Kion to use his Roar, but Kion worried that he would lose the Roar as Scar did for using it against other lions. Despite Kion's fears, Bunga insisted that Scar had not lost his Roar because he had used it against other lions, but because he had used it for evil.
Sensing Kion's change of heart, Zira claimed that she knew the Roar's powers better and that Kion must listen to her. Kion, however, was not swayed and told her that she was not welcome in the Pride Lands so long as he was around. As Kion stepped forward menacingly, Kovu began to back away slowly and ducked down just in time to avoid the Roar. The force of the Roar blasted Zira and the other Outsiders out of the pit, and Kovu scrambled to catch up with them. With the Outsiders gone, Jasiri's clan moved back in to their watering hole.
====Makuu's invasion of the Flood Plains====
When Janja and his clan invaded the Pride Lands, the Lion Guard drove them back into the Outlands. However, once the Lion Guard departed, Janja led his clan back into the kingdom, and the Lion Guard rushed back to stop them. Before the team could reach the hyenas, the clan ran into Kion's mother, Nala, who ordered Janja to return to his territory. Instead of heeding Nala's warning, Janja surrounded her with his cronies and ordered an attack. Just then, Kion arrived and, seeing his mother in danger, used the Roar of the Elders in a rage. The blast was so powerful that it not only knocked the hyenas back into the Outlands, but rebounded off a cliff and fractured the earth beneath Nala. As Nala struggled to keep from falling into the divide, Kion reached down the cliff and pulled her to safety.
Once on solid ground, Nala thanked Kion for having saved her life, but he lamented having nearly lost her. The rest of the Lion Guard approached and affirmed that they were all right, though Ono lamented the loss of his crest feathers. Kion surveyed the damage done by his Roar and expressed shock that his rage had brought on such destruction.
At the Lair of the Lion Guard, the rest of the Lion Guard tried to comfort Ono for having lost his crest feathers. In an attempt to cheer Ono up, Bunga encouraged him to embrace his new look. Kion, however, did not participate and instead took to looking at Rafiki's paintings of Scar, who had abused the Roar of the Elders. Bunga commented that it was a good thing that Kion now possessed the Roar, but Kion only reluctantly agreed.
Just then, Zazu flew into the Lair and delivered news that a rockslide had blocked up the giraffes' access to their water hole. The Lion Guard set out to clear the wreckage, but Ono was reluctant to go until Zazu forced him out of the cave. Once at the blockage, Bunga suggested that Kion use his Roar to clear the rocks, but Kion insisted that Beshte use his strength instead. The plan worked, and the giraffes gratefully flooded back into their cleared water hole.
Shortly after the rescue, the Lion Guard encountered a klipspringer trapped on a rock in the midst of a raging river. Once again, Bunga told Kion to use the Roar to solve the problem, but Kion insisted that they use a different plan. He commanded Beshte to knock over a dead tree and started to cross to save the klipspringer. However, as he was walking across the log, the wood snapped beneath him, and he nearly fell into the river. The rest of the Lion Guard tried to save him, but their combined weight broke the log, and they fell into the river with a splash. Startled, the klipspringer hopped safely to shore, and the Lion Guard rejoiced in their victory.
On their way back to Pride Rock, Bunga asked Kion why he was so reluctant to use the Roar of the Elders. Kion admitted that he had nearly hurt his mother with the Roar, and Bunga pointed out that Kion had not done so on purpose. Despite this, Kion worried that he could not control the Roar and should therefore never use it again. After reacting in horror to such a decision, Bunga reminded Kion that he was the leader of the Lion Guard and the fiercest in the Pride Lands, and Kion begrudgingly agreed to take his friend's advice.
As the two departed, Makuu reflected on what he had overheard. With Kion unwilling to use his Roar, Makuu decided to make his move against the Pride Lands. As a result, the crocodiles invaded the Flood Plains, driving the other Pride Landers away. A mongoose who had been chased away happened to run past Fuli, who resolved to save the Flood Plains with the rest of her team. She hastened to the Lair of the Lion Guard, where Bunga had fashioned a headdress of flowers for Ono, and she related what had happened to the Pride Landers. While Ono flew off to fetch Kion, the rest of the team departed to save the Flood Plains.
Once there, Fuli ordered Makuu to leave, but he simply laughed at the Guard for having a leader who refused to use the Roar of the Elders. Despite her confusion at Makuu's claim, Fuli threatened the crocodiles that they did not need Kion's Roar to defend the Pride Lands. She then attacked Makuu and ordered Beshte and Bunga to take on the rest of the float. There was a brief struggle, but Makuu and his float managed to overpower the Lion Guard and trap them in the midst of the water.
Just then, Kion, Nala, and Ono hastened to the scene of the crime, where Kion and Nala commanded Makuu to share the Flood Plains with the other Pride Landers. In answer, two of Makuu's cronies knocked Nala into the water and carried her into the midst of the float, prompting Kion to nearly use the Roar in his fury. Before he could wreak havoc on the Flood Plains, he stopped himself from roaring, and Nala called for him to trust himself.
Heeding his mother's advice, Kion used the Roar to specifically target Makuu's float and keep Nala from being harmed. With the crocodiles defeated, the Guard praised Kion for his efforts, and Fuli commented that she had not known that he could use the Roar in such a way. Kion stated that he had just needed to have faith in himself, to which Nala asserted that she had always had faith in him. Ono interrupted the team and exclaimed excitedly that his crest feathers had begun to grow back. No sooner had he said this when the other egrets in his flock showed off their missing head and tail feathers, and Beshte commented that Ono had started a trend, to the Guard's amusement.
====Journey to the Theluji Mountains====
When Zazu got his bill stuck in a beehive, Bunga climbed into the tree to free him. After the rescue, Zazu thanked the Lion Guard for their help and informed them that the pangolins had been spraying excessively elsewhere in the Pride Lands. Kion agreed to scout out the situation, and the Lion Guard departed to deal with the problem.
Once the Lion Guard arrived, they found two young gorillas holding the pangolins hostage and using them to spray each other with the pangolins' stink. Kion commanded the gorillas to let the pangolins go, but the gorillas insisted that the pangolins were too much fun to squeeze. Furious, Kion tackled them, which enabled the pangolins to escape, and refused to let them up until they promised not to hurt the pangolins again.
After the gorillas vowed to leave the pangolins alone, Kion let them up and demanded to know who they were. The two introduced themselves as brothers Hafifu and Majinuni, and told Kion that they were looking for a lion named "King Zimba." Bunga informed the gorillas that Kion was Simba's son, and the brothers reacted with shock that Kion was a prince. They then excitedly declared that they were princes as well. Kion was confused, so Majinuni explained that they were there to deliver a message from their father, King Sokwe. Just then, the brothers grabbed Ushari and tossed him at a baobab fruit for fun. Kion reprimanded them for their foolishness, but the gorillas simply replied with their catchphrase, "Kuishi ni kucheka," which meant "To live is to laugh."
After the fiasco, the Lion Guard led Hafifu and Majinuni to Pride Rock, where Kion related the situation to Simba. To Kion's surprise, Simba agreed that the message was important and explained that every wet season, King Sokwe informed Simba if their two kinds were still at peace or not. Just then, the brothers came before Simba, but when prompted to relay their message, they admitted that they had forgotten it. With this news, Simba was forced to ask Kion to deliver the gorillas back home and find out what Sokwe's message was. Kion wondered if the brothers should return home themselves and bring back the message again, but Simba pointed 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 lived. Once they reached the base of the mountain range, Kion asked Hafifu and Majinuni how to reach their father, but the brothers admitted that they had only come down their mountain once: to deliver Sokwe's message to Simba. Kion looked instead to Ono for guidance, and he led them down a path through the trees at the base of the mountains. As the group traveled deeper into the woods, Kion questioned the gorillas once more on where they should go, but they remained as unhelpful as before. Just then, Beshte spotted a chameleon, which prompted Hafifu and Majinuni to launch into a game of "chameleon hide-and-seek" and run off into the woods.
The Lion Guard attempted to locate the gorillas, but when their efforts proved unsuccessful, they decided to follow the sound of the brothers' voices. However, the gorillas deliberately circled around the Lion Guard, until Kion realized their game and yelled that the game was not working. Hafifu and Majinuni decided to change the game to "forest hog chase," during which the Lion Guard had to chase the gorillas as they snorted like forest hogs. With the Lion Guard in pursuit, the gorillas raced away into the fog, where they encountered a real forest hog. The Lion Guard rushed to save the brothers, and Kion tackled the forest hog just before it could harm Hafifu and Majinuni. With the danger abated, Kion suggested that they continue up the mountain, but the gorillas tried one last tactic to stall the Lion Guard.
The team realized that Hafifu and Majinuni were deliberately prolonging the journey and confronted them over the matter. The brothers admitted that they had originally agreed to deliver the message in order to prove to their father that they were good prince material, but now that they had failed, they did not want to disappoint him. Kion admitted that he sometimes felt the same way about his father and encouraged the brothers to act like princes so that they felt like princes.
The journey continued, and the Lion Guard arrived at the foot of the Theluji Mountains. To their shock, they saw the landscape covered in snow, a substance that they had never encountered before. Hafifu and Majinuni encouraged the Lion Guard to play with them, and Kion allowed the team a brief break in the snow. During the festivities, Bunga constructed a giant snowball for Timon.
Just then, Kion slipped on a steep patch of ice and began to slide down the mountain toward a perilous drop-off. Just before he could fall off, he managed to grapple the edge of the cliff with his claws, and the gorillas pulled him to safety. After the rescue, Kion thanked them for saving his life and told them that their bravery made for good prince material.
The group continued on their journey until they met King Sokwe, who questioned his sons on their activities. Though Sokwe initially appeared to be displeased, he suddenly threw snow over his sons' heads and exclaimed, "Kuishi ni kucheka!" He then complimented the two on their bravery in saving Kion's life and told them that they were true gorilla princes. Kion interjected to ask about Sokwe's message for Simba, but Sokwe instead focused on the snowball that Bunga had collected for his uncle. Kion wondered if the souvenir was a problem, to which Sokwe replied that the snowball was perfect.
When the Lion Guard returned to the Pride Lands, they reported back to Simba at Pride Rock. Simba prompted the Lion Guard to relate Sokwe's message, to which Kion said, "Kuishi ni kucheka," as Bunga threw a snowball over Simba's head. Instead of being angry, Simba laughed and commented that no one delivered a peace message quite like King Sokwe.
====Simba's temporary leadership of the Lion Guard====
In the Lair of the Lion Guard, Kion informed the Lion Guard that he had to go on a trip and that Simba would lead them while he was away. Kion then bid them goodbye and left them to wait for Simba. Though Ono began to anxiously preen and fret over the state of the Lair, Bunga assured him that he had nothing to worry about and explained what Simba was like.
Simba happened to overhear Bunga and commented that his performance had gotten one thing right: that Simba was excited to lead the Lion Guard. Simba then gathered the Lion Guard for their morning patrol and led them out of the Lair. Along the way, the Guard tried to correct Simba on his route, but he insisted that they take his chosen path. Though hesitant, the Guard agreed to the king's wishes, and the team veered off in a new direction.
Eventually, Ono spotted a mudslide heading toward a nest of ostrich eggs, but he was cut off in his report by Simba, who finished the report for him. Simba then instructed the Guard to follow him while he moved a log in the way of the falling mud. Though confused, the team followed him, and Simba ordered them to jump from rock to rock in order to avoid getting caught in the mud. Beshte commented that Kion usually had him walk through the mud, but Fuli reminded him that Simba was in charge, not Kion.
Beshte did as Simba commanded but accidentally slipped on the rocks and fell into the mud, carrying Bunga, Fuli, and Ono with him. The four tumbled down the slope and dislodged Simba's log, causing it to roll toward the ostriches' nest. Before the log could reach the bottom of the slope, Beshte leaped forward and stopped it from crushing the eggs, but Ono warned that the eggs would now get caught up in the mud. As Ono had predicted, the eggs got swept away by the mud, and the Lion Guard rushed to save them. After gathering the eggs, the Guard returned them to the ostriches, who thanked them for their help.
Afterwards, Simba expressed elation at the Guard's first rescue with the king and wondered what their next challenge would be. As he started to lead the Guard further into the kingdom, Beshte commented that at least Simba had not been mad about their nearly losing an ostrich egg, to which Fuli countered that it was not Beshte's fault that he could not jump like a lion. She then asked why they were a team if they were all going to be tasked with doing the same thing, which prompted Bunga to remind her that Simba was the king and knew what he was doing.
Just then, Ono flew up and started to report trouble when he was interrupted by Simba, who declared that a herd of gazelles needed their help. The Lion Guard followed his lead down the slope to rescue the gazelles. Upon inspection, Ono reported that the gazelles were trying to reach a patch of grass above an unstable pile of rocks. Simba commented that the rocks would fall if the gazelles tried to ascend them. He then shouted for the Lion Guard to follow him. As Simba raced away, Beshte asked the others if they should warn Simba that gazelles were easily spooked, but Bunga assured him that Simba knew what he was doing.
The team streaked across the plains toward the gazelles, who shied away at their rapid advance. The herd began to climb the rock pile, dislodging stones, and Ono yelled for the Lion Guard to halt their approach. Simba, however, continued to run and got his tail stuck underneath a massive boulder. The rest of the Lion Guard gathered around him, and Simba assured them that he was uninjured.
Just then, the Lion Guard overheard ostriches crying out in fear, and Ono reported that the gazelles were stampeding toward the ostriches' nest. The Lion Guard turned to Simba for instructions, and he ordered them to leave him behind and save the ostrich eggs instead. Just then, a large boulder tumbled down from the top of the rock pile, and Fuli saved Bunga from being crushed.
After the rescue, Fuli declared that they could not leave Simba, for he was in danger from the falling rocks. Simba got the Guard's attention and told them that he had been ordering them around all day when he should have figured out how their team worked. He then asked what they would do if Kion were in Simba's place, and Fuli explained that she and Ono would go after the herd, while Beshte and Bunga would stay behind to assist the king. Simba submitted to these orders and started the Lion Guard's chant as the team raced away to fulfill their separate duties.
Together, Fuli and Ono caught up to the gazelles, and Fuli ordered Ono to speak with Swala while she calmed the ostriches. Both members were successful, and the gazelles pulled to a halt before they could trample the ostrich eggs. At the same time, Beshte and Bunga worked together to free Simba. No sooner had they freed him when the rock pile began to collapse, and the three escaped to safety, where they reunited with Fuli and Ono. Simba complimented the Lion Guard on their success and declared that Kion would be proud of them.
====Royal Mud Print Ceremony====
Mtoto was playing with his friends when a massive flock of birds flew by overhead. The Lion Guard arrived on the scene and decided to scout out the situation. From a nearby ridge, they spied the birds gathering in a clearing, but before they could investigate, Ono called them over to a spot at the front. He explained that the birds had gathered for the return of Hadithi, the legendary eagle, who was famous for his "Hadithi Spin."
Just then, Hadithi arrived, to much cheering from the gathered birds. A raven called for Hadithi to say something wise, and he replied with, "The higher you fly, the more they'll look up to you." Though Ono was awed, the rest of the Lion Guard was unimpressed. Bunga decided to ask Hadithi about his famous spin, but Ono blocked his path, insisting that no one could simply talk to Hadithi. He then began to list off Hadithi's accomplishments to Bunga, which prompted Hadithi himself to chime in with another example.
Just then, Simba and Nala arrived and informed Hadithi that he was a hero to many animals in the Pride Lands, not just birds. Kion was surprised that his parents had heard of Hadithi, and Nala explained that Hadithi was a hero to many animals on the savanna. Simba then announced to the crowd that Hadithi was a selfless hero who never abandoned an animal in need. He then invited Hadithi to attend a Royal Mud Print ceremony. Bunga wondered what this ceremony was, and Ono explained that Hadithi would press his talons into mud and have his prints forever preserved alongside those of other heroes.
Simba continued that it was tradition for the hero to mentor a younger member of the Pride Lands. Kion nominated Ono for the position, and Simba accepted the suggestion. With business concluded, he and Nala began to depart, but Hadithi stopped them and requested that a ceremonial nest be built in his honor. Ono volunteered the Lion Guard to perform the service, and Kion assented.
After Simba and Nala left, Hadithi thanked the Lion Guard for accepting the job and told them to build his nest using leaves from the highest tree in the Pride Lands, as per tradition. Fuli expressed irritation at this latest request, but Ono defended his mentor by pointing out that the fronds at the top of the trees were the softest. The Lion Guard relented and took off to perform their duty.
On the way to the tallest tree in the Pride Lands, Fuli wondered whether they should be doing more important work than building a ceremonial nest, but Beshte defended the task by reminding her that Hadithi was Ono's hero. Soon, however, Kion lamented having left Ono behind with Hadithi, as the tallest tree in the Pride Lands was difficult to climb. Bunga volunteered for the task and clambered his way to the top of the tree. From there, he overlooked the Pride Lands and spotted an even taller tree across the savanna.
Later, at Pride Rock, Bunga carried the leaves for Hadithi's nest to the mud pit. However, he tripped halfway up and had to clean up the spillage. Before long, Hadithi arrived for the ceremony and lied that Ono was still trying to perfect the Hadithi Spin, when in fact the egret was being attacked by Janja, Cheezi, and Chungu. The ceremony continued, and Simba praised Hadithi for his heroics, his bravery, and his selflessness. Eventually, Hadithi became so overrun with guilt that he confessed his cowardice to the crowd and admitted that Ono was the true hero. He then called the Lion Guard to follow him and help rescue Ono.
Once at the scene of the crisis, Fuli fended off Cheezi and Chungu, and started to help Ono free his wing, but Ono urged her to save the klipspringers first. Fuli relented and left him, just as Hadithi landed next to Ono. He praised Ono for his selflessness, even in the face of being trapped, and admitted that he could learn much from Ono's example. Bunga and Kion confronted Janja, while Beshte pushed a boulder down for the klipspringers to use as an escape. As Fuli guided the klipspringers to safety, one slipped and fell, which prompted Janja and his minions to attack. Just in time, Ono and Hadithi flew past and began to circle the hyenas, making them dizzy. Eventually, they toppled off the cliffs and landed in the water below.
That night, Ono marked the mud at Pride Rock with his own talons, and Hadithi admitted that it had been Ono who had taught him, not the other way around. He then called Ono a natural hero, and the gathered Pride Landers cheered for him. To conclude the ceremony, Hadithi announced Ono as the creator of the Ono Spin.
====Hippo lanes====
Shortly after Basi and Beshte rescued a young rhino from one of their hippo lanes, the Lion Guard arrived, and Kion explained that they had heard an animal shouting for help. Beshte reassured him that he and his father had saved the young rhino, and Basi commented that it was now time for him to return to the job. However, as he started to walk away, he found himself too injured to move, as the young rhino had accidentally speared him with his horn. He tried to continue making hippo lanes, but Kion insisted that he should not be putting weight on his injured leg, and Beshte added that it was just not possible for Basi to be making hippo lanes in his condition.
Bunga commented that the Flood Plains would dry up soon, but no sooner had he spoken when thunder rumbled in the distance. With the impending storm, Basi tasked Beshte with creating more hippo lanes, since Basi himself was too injured to walk. Though Beshte was hesitant to step up to the task, Kion reminded him that he was the strongest in the Pride Lands and that the Lion Guard believed in him. Beshte accepted the responsibility and headed out to clear paths through the Flood Plains, while the Lion Guard led Basi to solid ground.
After the Lion Guard delivered Basi to safety, Ono arrived with news that a herd of sable antelope were refusing to leave their grazing grounds, even though another storm was on the way. Basi suggested that they lead the antelope to the other side of the Flood Plains, but Ono wondered how they would be able to cross the reeds. Basi reminded him that by the time the antelope arrived at the Flood Plains, Beshte would be done creating hippo lanes. The Lion Guard thanked him for the idea, then left to save the herd.
Ono led the Lion Guard to the sable antelope's grazing ground. Kion was quick to order the antelope out of their grazing ground, but their leader, Bupu, pointed out that they did not wish to leave. Fuli and Ono encouraged the herd to leave before the rainstorm came, but to no avail. In a last ditch effort, Kion informed the antelope that there would be more food away from their drowned grazing ground, and a female antelope named Boboka urged Bupu to reconsider the offer. He relented, and the herd followed after the Lion Guard.
On the way out of the grazing ground, Ono spotted a rockslide, and Kion yelled for the herd to stay back. Too late, the rocks fell, separating the Lion Guard from their charges. Kion worried over the herd's condition, but Ono reassured him that none of the antelope were injured. He then warned Kion that there was no other way around the rocks and that the storm was closing in fast.
In the face of this new setback, Fuli lamented Beshte's absence, but Bunga pointed out that Kion could still use the Roar of the Elders to blow the rocks away. Kion agreed to the idea and climbed to the other side of the rocks in order to avoid harming the antelope. Kion then used the Roar to clear the boulders. However, even after the path was clear, the antelope continued to stay put. With some harsh insistence from Fuli, Bupu and his herd reluctantly followed after the Lion Guard until the group reached the edge of the Flood Plains. There, Ono spotted Beshte's hippo lanes and reacted with confusion and shock.
A horrified Beshte realized that his hippo lanes were not useful at all, for they were twisty and windy. His distress deepened when Ono notified him that a herd of sable antelope was waiting to cross to the other side of the Flood Plains. Beshte hurriedly rushed back to the water and resolved to make a new hippo lane, one that would help the sable antelope reach the other side of the Flood Plains. However, as he started to make a new lane, Ono warned him that he was making another windy trail, and Beshte began to despair. He then realized that he could ask his father for help and took off to speak with Basi, while Ono left to warn Kion of the situation.
Meanwhile, the Lion Guard led the antelope to the edge of the water, where Boboka and her son entered one of Beshte's hippo lanes. No sooner had they started to cross the Flood Plains when Ono arrived, forbidding the herd to enter the hippo lanes. Bunga told Ono that Boboka and her son had already entered the Flood Plains, and Ono panicked that they would get lost in the reeds. Kion quickly took charge of the situation, entering the hippo lanes with Ono, while Bunga and Fuli stayed with the rest of the herd.
At the edge of the water, Bupu lamented not being in his home territory. Fuli attempted to quiet him, but Bupu simply sunk to his knees, which prompted the rest of his herd to do the same. Furious, Fuli shoved Bupu from behind and ordered him to stand up. Before long, Beshte arrived, to the excitement of his teammates. He started to compliment his father on a job well-done when he noticed that Basi was missing. Concerned, Beshte raced back into the hippo lane in search of his father. Ono monitored Beshte's progress and marveled at the perfectly straight and true hippo lane that had been created. Bunga then announced to the herd that they could cross the Flood Plains safely.
At Bunga's announcement, Bupu complained that the herd would get wet if they crossed the Flood Plains, to which Fuli shouted in exasperation that they were already wet. A stubborn Bupu dared her to continue yelling at them, and Fuli backed off, apologizing for her behavior and politely asking if the herd would follow the Lion Guard into the hippo lane. To her surprise, Bupu relented and told her that they had only wanted the Lion Guard to be polite to them. He then rallied the herd to him, and they stampeded into the Flood Plains. At the same moment, Boboka arrived with Kion and had a delighted reunion with her son. Kion asked for a report from Fuli, and she informed him that Beshte had created a functioning hippo lane for the herd to use.
Later, Basi and Beshte overlooked Bupu's herd grazing on the other side of the water. Kion arrived and complimented the hippos, with Bunga adding that everyone loved the new hippo lanes. Ono then told Beshte that he was good at making hippo lanes after all, and Basi asserted that he had never had any doubt.
====Reconciling Kifaru and Mwenzi====
One day, the Lion Guard followed a trail of devastated trees to where Kifaru the rhinoceros had his horn stuck in the baboons' tree. The Lion Guard recognized him as a well-tempered Pride Lander and wondered why he was acting so destructively. Together, they approached Kifaru, and Kion ordered the rhino to stop shaking the baboons' tree.
At first, Kifaru was defensive, but he softened at the appearance of Beshte, who calmed him long enough for the Lion Guard to free his horn from the tree. Once unstuck, Kifaru thanked the team for their help, and Kion questioned him as to why he had caused so much destruction. Kifaru reacted obliviously, and the Lion Guard explained that he had shaken the baboons out of their tree and trampled every tree in his path.
Bewildered, Kifaru admitted that he had wondered why there were so many trees on the path to Lake Matope. He then ambled off, and the Lion Guard realized that he was heading straight for another tree. Ono shouted that Kifaru did not know where he was going because he did not have his tickbird. He then darted in front of the rhino and warned him to keep back.
Ono asked Kifaru where his tickbird was, and Kifaru admitted that his tickbird, Mwenzi, had left him earlier that morning. Though the Lion Guard was confused, Ono explained that rhinos had poor eyesight and used tickbirds to help with navigation. In exchange, the tickbirds ate the ticks off the rhinos' backs. Kifaru then explained the partnership between the two species.
Afterward, Kifaru lamented being unable to reach Tamasha, an event in which rhinos gathered near Lake Matope to spar together in the mud. The Lion Guard was touched by his sorrow, and Kion resolved to find Mwenzi for Kifaru. Bunga volunteered to lead Kifaru to Lake Matope so that he would arrive in time to participate in Tamasha, and Kifaru hesitantly accepted the offer.
However, as he was leading Kifaru, Bunga became so distracted by eating ticks that he failed to notice a cliff in their path. Just in time, Ono stepped in to halt Kifaru, which impressed the rest of the Lion Guard. Ono explained that birds and rhinos had a special connection, and Kion suggested that he become Kifaru's temporary tickbird. In the meantime, they would search for Mwenzi and convince him to return to Kifaru. Ono protested the appointment but gave in when Kion reminded him that helping Kifaru would keep the Pride Lands safe.
Leaving Ono with Kifaru, the Lion Guard tracked Mwenzi's scent to a tree. Bunga climbed into the tree to search for Mwenzi but found it vacant. However, as he was skidding back down the trunk, he caught sight of a bird darting around nearby, and Beshte recognized the bird as Mwenzi. He called out to Mwenzi, but the bird did not reply. Kion suddenly got an idea, and Beshte lured Mwenzi into the open by pretending to be a rhino in need of a tickbird.
When Mwenzi landed on Beshte's back, Bunga tackled him to the ground and held him hostage while the rest of the Lion Guard gathered around. Fuli explained that Kifaru was causing damage all over the Pride Lands without Mwenzi, and Kion encouraged Mwenzi to return to his duties. An indignant Mwenzi recounted how Kifaru had blamed him for running late to Tamasha and explained that every year, it was Kifaru's fault for being late, yet he continually blamed Mwenzi for their tardiness.
Beshte reminded Mwenzi that Kifaru was his friend and explained that Kifaru was lost without his tickbird, to which Kion added that Mwenzi was not doing much better on his own. Mwenzi admitted that he was used to having a job to do, and Beshte encouraged him to talk to Kifaru about the situation. Reluctantly, Mwenzi conceded and left with the Lion Guard to speak to Kifaru.
Meanwhile, on the way to Tamasha, Kifaru collapsed on the ground, panting. He commented that the constant walking had gotten him overheated and added that Mwenzi would always make sure to keep them near a source of mud while they were traveling. Thinking quickly, Ono began to use his wings as a fan, to Kifaru's delight. Kifaru commented that Mwenzi was too small to be able to use his wings as a fan, and Ono wondered if Kifaru had finally found something that Ono was better at than Mwenzi. Kifaru agreed, not knowing that Mwenzi and the Lion Guard were listening from nearby. Angry, Mwenzi accused the Lion Guard of having misled him and confronted Kifaru for his comments. Though Kifaru begged him to stay, Mwenzi flew off across the savanna, and Kifaru called after him despairingly. He then stated that Ono must serve as his tickbird from then on, which made Ono take off after Mwenzi.
With Ono gone, the Lion Guard gathered around Kifaru. While Bunga climbed atop his back and pondered where all the ticks had gone, Kion checked on Kifaru's well-being. Kifaru admitted that with both his tickbird and his back-up tickbird gone, he was not in a great mood. To cheer him up, Kion reminded him of Tamasha and volunteered to lead him there with the help of the other members of the Lion Guard. Eventually, the Lion Guard managed to lead Kifaru to Tamasha. However, before he could take part in the activities, Ono arrived with news that Mwenzi was in trouble. In a panic, Kifaru took off to save his friend.
Across the Pride Lands, Makuu and his float surrounded an injured Mwenzi, who was stuck in a tree. Just in time, the Lion Guard and Kifaru arrived and fought Makuu off. During the commotion, Mwenzi hopped down from his tree and instructed Kifaru on how to free himself from a tree stump. Once free, Kifaru used the tree stump as a weapon and helped free the other Lion Guard members from their entanglements. Finally, he rammed Makuu, knocking him and the tree stump into the swamp, and yelled after him that that was what he got for messing with Mwenzi.
After the fight, Kion thanked Kifaru and Mwenzi for their help, and the two attributed their victory to each other. They then reconciled their friendship. With his tickbird relationship restored, Kifaru informed Ono that he did not need his services as a tickbird anymore, and Ono happily obliged.
Back at Tamasha, Mwenzi helped Kifaru face in the right direction in order to watch the fight. As they surveyed the sparring, another tickbird questioned Mwenzi on his fight with Kifaru, and the two denied ever having fought. In the background, the Lion Guard watched contentedly, and Bunga asked Ono if he would serve as his tickbird. Ono reassured Bunga that they would always be friends but asserted that his days as a tickbird were over.
====Babysitting job====
One day, Reirei and her pack plotted to attack a herd of zebras. Nearby, Kion picked up the pack's scent, and the Lion Guard rushed to rescue the zebras from their attackers. Too late, the pack struck, and Reirei's children, Dogo and Kijana, managed to isolate Muhimu's son, Hamu, from the rest of the herd. Ono spotted the double attack, and Kion ordered Bunga and Ono to save Hamu while he, Beshte, and Fuli rescued the remainder of the herd.
Meanwhile, Kijana hid in the brush while Dogo tricked Hamu into stopping for a game of tag. Just in time, Ono warned Hamu of the trap, and Bunga tackled Kijana to the ground. Dogo made a last attempt on Hamu's life, but Bunga yelled at Hamu to kick Dogo, and the colt followed through on Bunga's advice, successfully fending off Dogo. At the same time, Kion stopped Reirei from harming the rest of the herd, and Muhimu realized that she had lost her son in the panic. Hamu soon arrived alongside Bunga, who deposited Dogo and Kijana at their mother's paws. Reirei tried to blame Hamu for having harmed Dogo, but Kion exiled her and her pack back to the Outlands.
With the danger abated, the Lion Guard started to leave, but Muhimu begged them to stay and watch over the herd. Just then, she noticed Bunga playing with Hamu and suggested that he take care of her son for the day. To Muhimu's relief, Bunga agreed to the task. Shortly afterward, at Hakuna Matata Falls, Twiga and several other Pride Lander parents approached Bunga and asked him to watch their children. Bunga agreed, and the children gathered around him excitedly. As the young animals looked on, Bunga taught them to "kick," "jump," and "slide."
Meanwhile, the jackals reentered the Pride Lands and attacked Bunga and his charges. While Reirei took on Bunga, her pups attacked the young animals. In the midst of the fight, Bunga yelled encouragement to the young animals, reminding them to "teke," "ruka," and "teleza" in order to fend off the jackals. The plan worked, and the jackals were defeated. Just then, the Lion Guard arrived and stared in consternation at the defeated jackals and the triumphant young animals. In the face of his friends' confusion, Bunga explained that word had been spreading that he was a fantastic babysitter. Meanwhile, the jackals ran off to the Outlands once more.
After the jackals departed, the children's parents returned, and Bunga explained to them how their children had bravely fended off Reirei's pack. The parents were shocked that Bunga had taught their children how to defend themselves, and Muhimu praised him for being the best babysitter ever. Bunga cheerfully agreed and commented that he had known so all along.
====Savannah Summit====
The Lion Guard was playing Baobab Ball when a dry ledge collapsed underneath Bunga and Kion. The other members of the Guard rushed forward to make sure that their friends were all right, and Kion assured them that they were fine. Just then, Mtoto approached with the Lion Guard's baobab fruit. Bunga started to chase Mtoto when the young elephant suddenly pulled to a halt, listening intently. He informed the Lion Guard that his mother was communicating with him via infrasound, a low pitch that only some animals were able to hear, which awed Bunga.
Mtoto then demonstrated his great hearing to the Lion Guard and informed them that several important Pride Landers were heading toward Pride Rock. Kion realized that it was time for the Savannah Summit, an important yearly event in which animal leaders in the Pride Lands discussed how they would proceed during the dry season. No sooner had he revealed this when Mtoto overheard a crocodile heading toward Pride Rock, and Ono spotted Makuu en route to the Summit. Kion deduced that Makuu must be trying to spoil the event, and so, he, Bunga, and the Lion Guard took off to thwart the danger and warn Simba.
Once at Pride Rock, Kion tackled Makuu and swore that the Savannah Summit would proceed undisturbed. Makuu protested that he had been invited, and Simba confirmed to Kion that he had invited Makuu to Pride Rock himself. Kion attempted to convince his father that Makuu was untrustworthy, but Simba insisted that all animals must be treated equally in the Pride Lands, no matter their past transgressions. He then tasked the Lion Guard with watching over the event. Together, the party proceeded to Mizimu Grove, during which Simba and Zazu emphasized equality and teamwork.
Once at Mizimu Grove, the Lion Guard commented on how well the animals were behaving. As they spoke, the Lion Guard noticed that Makuu was missing from the event, and Mtoto ran up with news that Makuu was speaking angrily near the watering hole. The Lion Guard took off to stop the danger and arrived at the scene to find Makuu arguing with Bupu. Without asking for an explanation, Kion ordered Makuu to back off. Despite the Lion Guard's presence, Bupu attacked Makuu, who attempted to defend himself until Kion chastised him again, claiming that he would not let anyone ruin the Savannah Summit, "especially" not Makuu. Though Makuu was bothered by Kion's bias, he backed off. After the fight, Kion admitted his doubts to the team about Makuu's intentions and asserted that every member of the Lion Guard must be braced for trouble.
While patrolling the Pride Lands for trouble, Mtoto overheard Twiga speaking about Makuu. When he informed the Lion Guard of what he had heard, Bunga assumed that there was trouble. Together, the team took off to protect Twiga. However, when they arrived on the scene, Makuu was nowhere to be found, only Twiga and Vuruga Vuruga. Bunga proclaimed that Mtoto had heard Makuu, but Mtoto clarified that he had only heard Twiga speaking about Makuu. Twiga was quick to deny this assertion, and Vuruga Vuruga backed her up, with both acting suspiciously as they did so. The Lion Guard left, privately deducing that Twiga and Vuruga Vuruga were too afraid to tell the truth about Makuu because he had threatened them.
Just then, the team heard Zazu squawking for help and followed the noise to where Rafiki was attempting to paint a portrait of the baboon leader and Mbeya, who was sitting on Zazu. The Lion Guard demanded an explanation, and Mbeya furiously explained that Zazu had called him clumsy. The baboon leader clarified that it had been him who had called Mbeya clumsy, then accused Mbeya of having bumped into him. Zazu yelled for Mbeya to get off him, and the rhinoceros complied. The baboon leader and Mbeya started to bicker again, but Beshte encouraged them to get along with one another. The three then apologized to one another, and Rafiki laughed at the absurdity of the situation.
No sooner had the situation been resolved when Mtoto rushed up to the Lion Guard and proclaimed that Makuu was yelling at Bupu again, this time at Pride Rock. The team rushed to Pride Rock, where Kion tackled Makuu to the ground. Simba approached, furious, and exclaimed that Bupu and Makuu had been about to come to an agreement about sleeping situations for their respective species. Enraged, Makuu stalked off, ignoring Simba's calls to come back.
Later, the Lion Guard reconvened with Kion and informed him that Mtoto had heard of another attack involving Makuu. Though the involved parties were unknown, Bunga suspected Makuu. However, Kion warned his friends not to jump to conclusions and asked Mtoto to listen more closely to what was being said. Mtoto did as he had been prompted and explained that someone was making a plan to strike just after sunset. Though the rest of the Lion Guard suspected Makuu of foul intentions, Kion thought more deeply about the issue and realized that it may be the other Pride Lander leaders who were at the root of the problem. With Kion in the lead, the Lion Guard rushed to Mizimu Grove, where they saved Makuu from falling into a pit full of rotten fruit. Makuu realized that someone had set a trap for him, and Kion proclaimed that he knew how to find out who was to blame.
Later that day, Kion announced to the Summit that Makuu had fallen into a pit and lost his life in the struggle. Horrified, Twiga and Vuruga Vuruga exclaimed that they had never intended for Makuu to get hurt, only to fall into a pit of rotten fruit. Just then, Makuu revealed himself and announced 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 in return. To the Pride Landers' surprise, Makuu then prompted Simba to let the Summit go on.
With negotiations reinitiated, the other animals acted graciously toward Makuu. Mtoto announced that he must return home, and Bunga commented that he was glad that he could not hear as well as Mtoto, else he would know everyone else's business. Fuli joked that Bunga would look horrible with ears that big, and the rest of the Lion Guard laughed.
====Traveling Baboon Show====
While patrolling the Pride Lands, the Lion Guard noticed several animals taking off in the same direction and followed the commotion to where a large group of Pride Landers had gathered beneath a tree. At the team's confusion, Mbeya explained that the animals had gathered to see a troop of performing baboons. Just then, Mwevi and Mwizi leaped out of the tree and began performing tricks for their spectators. Uroho soon joined them and formally introduced his troop as the Traveling Baboon Show. The group then showed off their feats and talents.
After the show, the Lion Guard approached Uroho and congratulated him on an entertaining show. At first, Uroho was receptive to their thanks, but when Kion mentioned that he was the son of King Simba, the baboon became uncomfortable and took off in a hurry.
With the troop otherwise occupied, the Lion Guard returned to their patrol. Along the way, they heard Ma Tembo crying for help and followed her voice to where a tree had been completely stripped of its flowers and leaves. Ma Tembo declared that there was a food thief in the Pride Lands, and Bunga wondered what the big deal was. Ono explained that with the dry season on its way, some animals must eat extra in order to survive. With the Pride Landers so upset, the Lion Guard resolved to find the thief and restore order to the Pride Lands.
After the Pride Landers left, the Lion Guard lingered to inspect the stripped tree. Ono flew to the topmost branches and declared that even the highest flowers and leaves had been taken, to which the other members of the Lion Guard made their best guesses as to which species could have pulled off such a feat.
Just then, the Lion Guard overheard the Traveling Baboon Show making a clamor in the distance and decided to watch the show in order to see if the thief was in attendance. While the other Lion Guard members gathered around the show, Ono patrolled from the air. After catching Mwevi and Mwizi thieving from a different tree, Ono informed his teammates that the troop was guilty of stealing the Pride Lands' food.
In the face of their guilt, the troop fled, and the Lion Guard chased them across the Pride Lands. In the midst of the chase, the baboons scared a herd of antelope into scattering, and two of the antelope fell into a nearby river. The Lion Guard halted their chase in order to save the antelope, and the baboons managed to escape into the Outlands.
Later, the Lion Guard reflected on the Traveling Baboon Show and how the baboons had turned out to be thieves. In the midst of the conversation, Ono spotted Mwevi and Mwizi being chased by Janja in the Outlands and reported what he had seen to Kion. Ono pointed out that the troop had only entered the Outlands because they had been being chased by the Lion Guard, which persuaded Kion to save the troop. Together, the Lion Guard took off for the Outlands.
Upon catching up to the baboons, the Lion Guard defeated Janja and his lackeys, and the baboons thanked the Lion Guard for having saved their lives. In repayment for their past crimes, the troop agreed to hand out food to the Pride Landers. Later, as the baboons handed out food, the Guard watched contentedly.
====Saving Ona====
While on patrol, the Lion Guard witnessed a stampede of hyraxes. They wondered what the source of the stampede was and looked up to see a harrier hawk circling overhead. Kion exclaimed that hawks were not allowed to hunt in the Pride Lands, as it was not their territory, and Ono volunteered to talk to the intruder. When the hawk, Mpishi, spurned Ono's warnings and tried to eat Pim, Ono distracted Mpishi long enough for her to run head-on into a cliff face. She subsequently let go of Pim, and Ono rushed to save him. Just in time, Beshte appeared beneath the struggling duo and caught Pim on his back.
After the rescue, Kion approached Mpishi and told her that she must hunt in her own territory in order to uphold the Circle of Life. Though reluctant, she agreed. With Mpishi gone, the Lion Guard congratulated Ono for his heroic rescue. Unbeknownst to the group, Kulinda, a hamerkop, watched in fascination and decided that Ono would make the perfect babysitter for her egg. Without consulting Ono, she carried her egg to Ono's nest and deposited it among the twigs.
Later that day, the Lion Guard led Ono back to his nest and praised him for a hard day's work. Ono was about to settle down in his nest when he felt Kulinda's egg and realized that a hamerkop had left an egg in his nest. He reacted with confusion, wondering why a hamerkop would abandon its egg, and Kion resolved to find the mother and clear up the confusion. Bunga volunteered to keep the egg warm, but Ono worried that he would be too rough with it and decided to sit on the egg himself.
In the meantime, the Lion Guard tracked Kulinda's scent across the Pride Lands. In the midst of their search, they stumbled across a group of hares that were standing in the path of a dangerous mudslide. One of the hares approached the Lion Guard and informed them that the other hares were hiding in empty aardvark dens, and the team resolved to save them before they could get buried in mud.
After the rescue, the Lion Guard followed Kulinda's scent to where she was building a new nest in a tree. Kion questioned Kulinda as to why she had left her egg in Ono's nest, and she explained that she had been building a new nest in preparation for her egg hatching. She asked the team if her egg was all right, and they assured her that Ono was taking care of it. They then offered to escort her back to Ono's nest.
The Lion Guard arrived at Ono's nest to find it empty. Kulinda began to frantically call for her baby, and the baby hamerkop followed her mother's cries to Ono's nest, where the two finally met each other for the first time. Kulinda thanked Ono for his help, and he warned her that baby hamerkops could get very distracted by insects. No sooner had he said this when he realized that the baby hamerkop had gone missing again, and so, he and the rest of Lion Guard rushed to save her from danger.
Ono scoped out the area for the baby hamerkop and spotted her wandering near the river. Fuli attempted to save the baby hamerkop from danger but arrived too late to stop her from falling into the raging water. With no time to lose, the Lion Guard and Kulinda pursued the baby hamerkop down the river, only to watch in horror as Mpishi grasped the baby in her talons and took off for the safety of the skies.
Kulinda and Ono attempted to thwart Mpishi's plans, but she worked together with Mwoga to keep the baby hamerkop from falling back into the Lion Guard's grasp. From the ground, Bunga worked out how he could help Kulinda and Ono, and climbed a tree in order to reach the feuding birds. Once at a higher level, he managed to knock Mwoga from the sky, but Mpishi merely took the baby hamerkop from him and swooped out of harm's way once more.
As Ono watched Mpishi fly away, he worked out how he and Kulinda could work together, and the two flanked her from the front and the back, forcing her to drop the baby. Overwhelmed, Mpishi crashed unceremoniously to the ground, where the Lion Guard surrounded her and forced her to return to her own territory.
====Scar's resurrection====
The start of the dry season caused the Lion Guard to become busier than ever. During various missions with his teammates, Bunga continually ran over Ushari, who grew annoyed at the treatment. During one of the Guard's patrols, Ono informed his friends that Janja's clan was attacking Ma Tembo's herd. The Lion Guard arrived at the scene and were shocked to find that the hyenas were willing to hunt elephants. Alongside his team members, Bunga helped drive the hyenas away, and Ma Tembo explained that the hyenas had been desperate because of the dry season. She added that she was trying to find a new water source for her herd.
Later, Ono informed the Guard that Janja and his clan were attacking the baboons who had started following Ma Tembo's herd. The Lion Guard arrived at the scene and looked on as Kion blasted the hyenas away with the Roar of the Elders. With the hyenas gone, the baboons revealed that they were following Ma Tembo to a new water source, and Ma Tembo resumed her search for new water.
Later, at the Lair of the Lion Guard, the Guard met Rafiki's new apprentice, Makini. They then listened as Makini asked Rafiki if there was a way to talk to Scar's spirit, and Rafiki explained that it depended on if the Great Lion was good or bad. The Great Lions of the Past, he explained, were the lions who appeared when Kion used the Roar, while the Evil Lions of the Past, like Scar, appeared in fire if they were unleashed by the Roar and a bakora staff.
Later, Makini informed the Guard that the hyenas had kidnapped Kiara. While the Guard journeyed to the volcano and rescued Kiara, Kion confronted Janja, who tricked him into using the Roar out of anger, which caused the volcano to erupt. Back in the Pride Lands, Kiara thanked the Lion Guard for their help. The Guard then met up with Ma Tembo, who at last found a new water source, and looked on in contentment as the Pride Landers drank.
====Attempted assassination of Simba====
When a rockslide startled a herd of antelope into stampeding, the Lion Guard rushed to calm them down. From overhead, Ono spotted a canyon into which the Lion Guard could chase the antelope, and the Guard herded the antelope into the canyon. Unbeknownst to the Lion Guard, Makuu and his float were slumbering underground and got awakened by the loud disturbance of the stampede.
While the Lion Guard managed to calm the antelope, Makuu and his float emerged from underground and explained that crocodiles could not go back into hibernation after being woken up. Though Makuu was willing to reason with the Lion Guard, Kiburi blamed Ono for the dilemma and suggested dealing with him in the "crocodile way." Makuu ordered Kiburi to back down, then agreed to meet with Simba in order to discuss water rations for his float.
At Pride Rock, the Guard looked on as Makuu spoke with Simba about the water situation. When Ono got called forward to help spy out a new water hole for the crocodiles, he overlooked the Pride Lands and saw that Makuu's followers had invaded the kingdom's water holes. Upon hearing Ono's report, Makuu insisted that whoever was leading his float had defied a direct order from their leader. He tried to leave in order to settle the situation, but Simba ordered him to let the Lion Guard deal with the problem instead. Makuu begrudingly agreed, and Kion led his team to the rescue.
When the Guard arrived, Kion attempted to stop Kiburi from hurting the animals in the water hole, but Kiburi refused and engaged Kion in a fight. In the midst of the brawl, Makuu arrived and chastised Kiburi for defying his orders. Simba added that they had found a new water hole for the crocodiles to live in and then tasked the Lion Guard with leading the float to their new home.
The team obediently escorted Makuu and his float to their own private water hole, but the water hole proved to be too crowded and uncomfortable for the crocodiles. Kiburi challenged Makuu about the poor situation, but Makuu insisted that they must compromise with Simba in order to survive. Appalled at Makuu for being so willing to share with the other Pride Landers, Kiburi called for a mashindano.
At sunset, the Pride Landers gathered at Lake Matope to watch the mashindano. In the meantime, Ono grew tired of the violence and flew away from the mashindano to avoid watching the fight. As he hovered over the battlefield, he noticed several crocodiles leaving the event. He reported what he had seen to Kion, and the Lion Guard left the event to figure out what was going on. Just then, Ono realized that the crocodiles were attempting to ambush Simba and hastened to warn Kion of the danger. Just in time, the Lion Guard arrived, and Bunga helped thwart the crocodiles' efforts to assassinate Simba.
Simba overheard the fight and arrived to find Kiburi's lackeys defeated. He studied the crocodiles and recognized them as being too dim-witted to have come up with such a scheme on their own. Just then, Makuu defeated Kiburi in the mashindano. However, Kiburi declared to the gathered Pride Landers that his followers had killed Simba and that he was now the ruler of the Pride Lands. Simba interrupted Kiburi's speech, and Kiburi realized that the Lion Guard had outsmarted him. Makuu declared that Kiburi was no longer a part of the float, so Simba took back over and banished Kiburi and his lackeys from the Pride Lands.
Later, Ono lamented having caused Makuu's float to awaken early. Though the rest of the Lion Guard attempted to reassure him, Ono refused to accept their comfort and went before Makuu to apologize. At first, Makuu seemed to be growing angry, but then, he forgave Ono. The Lion Guard then looked on, pleased, as Kion explained that Makuu had learned of Ono's part in foiling Kiburi's scheme, and Simba added that everyone made mistakes.
====Finding Beshte====
When members of Thurston's herd got stuck in a dry riverbed, the Lion Guard arrived to help. Beshte warned the team that they must rescue the zebras quickly, else the sun would dry the mud faster, and so, Kion decided 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 turned a cloud into a thunderstorm, and the falling rain loosened the mud, freeing some of the zebras.
At first, the Lion Guard believed the zebras to be safe, but when the rain refused to stop, and a flood began to rush down the riverbed, Kion ordered Beshte to stop the water flow while he and the rest of the Guard freed the stuck zebras. While the zebras were guided successfully to safety, Beshte got swept away by the impeding floodwaters and found himself trapped in the Outlands.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Lion Guard realized that Beshte was missing, and Kion ordered Ono to scope the area for their missing teammate. Ono did as he had been commanded, following the dry riverbed to see if he could spot any sign of Beshte, while the rest of the Lion Guard followed. Ono attempted to search for Beshte from above, but to no avail, and the team worried over Beshte's safety under the intense heat of the sun. As time went on, Ono continued to scour the Outlands from above but found no traces of Beshte. He reported back to Kion, who expressed guilt over Beshte's predicament and told Ono to search for hippo footprints. Ono did as he had been asked, and Fuli suggested tracing Beshte's scent. Bunga attempted to help his friends search, but his antics only succeeded in irritating Fuli.
Eventually, Ono spotted Beshte's tracks and led the team into the cavern through which Beshte had followed a group of skinks who were working for Scar. The Lion Guard overheard Beshte crying, "Twende kiboko!" and they rushed ahead to find him. They soon saw that Janja, Cheezi, and Chungu were dropping rocks on Beshte, who was trapped in a pit. Beshte explained his situation to the team through the rocks, and Ono pinpointed his exact location. The Lion Guard then rushed off to deal with the hyenas.
Ono guided the team to Rocky Plateau, and Fuli raced ahead to stop the hyenas from dropping a massive boulder onto Beshte. As she teetered carefully atop the boulder, keeping it from falling into the pit, the other Guard members rushed in and engaged the hyenas in a fight. Down below, Beshte started to clear a path through the fallen rocks. Eventually, Kion used the Roar of the Elders to clear the hyenas, and Beshte made his way to safety.
Back in the Pride Lands, Kion apologized to Beshte for having caused such a chaotic situation, but Beshte insisted that Kion had only been trying to help. Bunga started to place a comforting paw on Beshte, but the hippo reacted with pain and realized that his skin had been burned by the sun. He was quick to leap into a mud pool, but in doing so, he accidentally showered his teammates with mud. Though Fuli was annoyed, the rest of the Lion Guard shared in a laugh.
====Dry lightning====
Near Pride Rock, the Lion Guard struggled to put out a brush fire. Though they managed to dig trenches around the fire, the commotion frightened Thurston's herd into stampeding across the Pride Lands. The Lion Guard rushed off to avert the danger and eventually managed to slow the herd. Once the herd had calmed, Ono learned from Thurston that dry lightning had caused the brush fire.
After the rescue, the Lion Guard noticed Rafiki meditating in a nearby tree. They questioned him as to why he was not training Makini, and he admitted that he was trying to escape his noisy new neighbors. Kion wondered why three young animals would be on their own, and Rafiki suggested that the Lion Guard return them to their own kind.
With Rafiki in the lead, the Lion Guard ventured to Rafiki's tree, where they found Makini having a bug-eating competition with Chama, Furaha, and Mzaha. Bunga eagerly joined in, but Kion questioned the three young animals as to why they were not with their herds. The three admitted that they were outcasts, but Rafiki insisted that they must return to their families. Seeing the importance of Rafiki's words, the three young animals agreed to return to their respective herds. While Beshte and Ono escorted Furaha back to his troop, Fuli brought Mzaha back to Bupu, and Kion and Bunga accompanied Chama back to his herd. Upon speaking with Kion and Bunga, Ma Tembo begrudgingly agreed to give Chama another chance.
At Pride Rock, the Lion Guard regrouped and expressed relief that the three young animals were back with their herds. No sooner had they done this when Kion spotted a dry lightning storm in the distance and ordered his team to protect any nearby Pride Landers. Ono suggested that they clear the watering holes first, and the Lion Guard set off to avert the danger.
Once at the scene, the Lion Guard attempted to save a pair of hippopotamuses and Zito the elephant from dry lightning. As the team began to lead their charges away from the watering hole, dry lightning struck and trapped the animals in a ring of fire. Though Zito attempted to spray the fire out, it continued to spread. Before long, sparks from the flames began to drift across the savanna and ignited the grass beneath Rafiki's tree. Ono happened to notice the danger and warned Kion of the situation. Beshte pushed a boulder into the flames, and his teammates safely crossed the ring of fire with their charges. Kion then used the Roar of the Elders to put out the fire, and the Pride Landers thanked him for having saved them.
With their charges safe, the Lion Guard took off to save Makini and Rafiki, only to find that Chama, Furaha, and Mzaha were battling the fire themselves. The Lion Guard joined in, and together, the two groups put out the fire. Afterward, Rafiki thanked them profusely for their help. That night, the Guard watched as Makini painted for the royal family.
====Rescuing Jasiri====
One day, a herd of cape buffalo stampeded across the Pride Lands, fleeing a cloud of tsetse flies, and the Lion Guard attempted to calm them. In the midst of the chase, Ono pointed out that tsetse flies detested water, and Kion ordered the team to steer the herd to a nearby water source. After clearing Thurston and his herd from their path, the Lion Guard successfully led the cape buffalo to a watering hole, where the tsetse flies flew away. No sooner had they done this when Mbeya cried out for help, and the Lion Guard rushed off to save him.
Before long, the Lion Guard found Mbeya upside down in a dry ditch. Beshte managed to free Mbeya, and the team escorted him back to the watering hole. Along the way, the Lion Guard found themselves plagued by tsetse flies once more. In frustration, Beshte ordered the flies to leave, and to the team's shock, the cloud of bugs disappeared. Just then, Thurston and his herd appeared, seeking a new watering hole, and Ono realized that the zebras had been the ones driving off the tsetse flies. Getting an idea, Kion ordered the Lion Guard to escort Mbeya and the zebras to a new watering hole together.
Later, Madoa approached the Lion Guard and told them that Janja's clan had trapped Jasiri and two hyena pups, Tunu and Wema, in a steam vent. Kion attempted to lead his team in a rescue, but they got caught in a cloud of tsetse flies, which prevented them from moving quickly. In an attempt to solve the problem, Kion suggested that Thurston accompany them to ward off any remaining flies, and the zebra agreed to his request.
In the Outlands, Kion realized that the tsetse flies had vanished and ordered Thurston to return to the Pride Lands. The zebra departed, and Kion suggested that Madoa leave as well so she could protect her clan. She agreed and departed, leaving the Guard to assess Jasiri's predicament themselves. Before they could launch their rescue, Thurston reappeared, asking for directions, and the Lion Guard frustratingly pointed him in the right direction. However, Thurston got turned around again and continued to follow the team deeper into the Outlands.
Upon realizing that Thurston was still with them, the Guard got frustrated but had no choice but to proceed with their attack. The team engaged in a fight with the hyenas, effectively steering them away from the edge of the steam vent in which Jasiri, Tunu, and Wema were trapped. With the hyenas out of the way, Kion ordered Beshte to push a large rock into the lava flow, which allowed Jasiri and the pups to clamber to safety. By then, all of the hyenas had fled, save Janja. As Jasiri emerged from the steam vent, she challenged Janja to take on both herself and the Lion Guard, and Janja reluctantly gave up the fight. With Janja gone, Jasiri thanked the Lion Guard for their help, and Kion blamed the dry season for Janja's odd behavior.
Back in the Pride Lands, the Lion Guard thanked Thurston for his help, which led Thurston to believe that he had been invited to join the Lion Guard. He excitedly announced his new status to his herd while the Lion Guard looked on in amusement. Just then, the tsetse flies reappeared, and the team decided to hang out with the zebras. Bunga, however, snacked contentedly on the flies, commenting that the team must really miss the zebras.
====Ukumbusho Tradition====
In Mizimu Grove, the Lion Guard practiced their lines for the Ukumbusho Tradition. Before long, Makini arrived to help paint the elephants for the ceremony, and Timon and Pumbaa arrived to help the Lion Guard with their lines. However, before they could start, Ma Tembo pointed out that the Lion Guard was traditionally composed of lions only, and Makini suggested that she paint each Lion Guard member to resemble a lion. Though Fuli was reluctant to accept the idea, Makini dressed up the Lion Guard as lions.
With Makini gone, Timon and Pumbaa attempted to direct the Lion Guard on their lines, as they believed that they knew best how lions acted, since they had raised Simba. Shortly afterward, Mtoto's mother struggled to rehearse her lines with Bunga, who continually forgot what he was supposed to be saying. Just then, Simba arrived with the lionesses of his pride, and the Lion Guard performed for the Ukumbusho ceremony, during which they commemorated the peace established between the elephants and lions of the Pride Lands.
In the midst of the ceremony, a swarm of bees attacked the elephants and chased them from the grove. Kion ordered his team to chase down the elephants before they could hurt anyone, and the Lion Guard took off to halt the stampede. While on the hunt, the Lion Guard worked out that the bees were attracted to the flower paint on the elephants' foreheads, and so, they worked together with Mtoto to wipe the paint from each elephant.
As the elephants recovered from the bees, Mtoto noticed that his mother was missing, and Ono spotted her running along the top of Mapango Cliffs, where the soil was dry and could collapse at any moment. The Lion Guard rushed to the site of the scene, and Bunga bounded up the cliffside until he reached Mtoto's mother. There, he calmed her by reciting their lines from the ceremony.
Back at Mizimu Grove, Ma Tembo apologized to Simba for having panicked, and the Ukumbusho Tradition continued in a new vein.
====Skirmish with Kenge====
The Lion Guard caught Janja, Cheezi, and Chungu attempting to steal a supply of tikiti melons from the elephants, who needed the fruits' moisture to survive the dry season. After a brief fight, the team managed to fend off the hyenas and save most of the melons. Even so, Kion decided to keep his team watching the melon patch in order to ensure that no more fruits were stolen.
Later that day, Ono spotted a skirmish at the watering hole, and the Lion Guard arrived at the scene to find Kenge attacking some Pride Landers. The team leaped into battle, but Kenge managed to bite Kion, Fuli, and Beshte, paralyzing them. Just in time, Bunga stepped in and broke wind in Kenge's face, which caused the lizard and his hyena minions to retreat.
With the danger abated, Ono realized that Kenge was a monitor lizard and therefore had a venomous bite. The team urged Ono to fetch Rafiki for healing, but when Ono arrived at Rafiki's tree to get help, only Makini was at home. Despite Rafiki's absence, Makini offered to accompany Ono instead and use her minimal healing skills to assist the Lion Guard. However, once at the scene of the fight, she forgot what the antidote, ponya flowers, looked like. Ono recalled what the flowers looked like and managed to locate a patch of them. At the same moment, he saw the hyenas returning to the melon patch with Kenge, and so, Kion ordered Bunga and Ono to deal with the thieves while Makini collected the flowers.
At the melon patch, Kenge quickly assumed authority over the hyenas, ordering them to roll the melons out of the patch. Just in time, Bunga and Ono arrived, with Bunga taking on Kenge while Ono stopped the hyenas from stealing the melons. At first, the two seemed to succeed in their endeavor, but then, Kenge managed to bite Ono on the wing, paralyzing him and effectively removing him from the fight. Bunga attacked Kenge but got bitten himself, which allowed Kenge and his hyena allies to escape with the melons. However, once the danger was over, Bunga realized that he was immune to Kenge's venom.
Meanwhile, Makini attempted to use the ponya flowers to heal the Lion Guard. At the same time, Bunga arrived and declared that he must face Kenge alone, but the Lion Guard insisted that Makini accompany him to the fight. Though reluctant, Makini agreed to the task, and Kion declared that he had a plan as to how they could defeat Kenge and the hyenas.
Bunga and Makini followed Kenge and the hyenas to Embamba Canyon, where Bunga distracted the thieves while Makini stole their melons and hid them behind rocks. While ridiculing his enemies, Bunga stumbled upon Kenge's trigger word, "little," and used the word to his advantage, spinning Kenge into a fury and causing him to chase Bunga around the canyon. In his attempts to catch Bunga, Kenge accidentally bit Cheezi and Chungu, paralyzing them. He nearly bit Janja until Makini threw a melon his way and distracted him.
Just then, a fully healed Lion Guard approached. The hyenas attempted to run but were hindered by their paralyzed legs. Taking advantage of this, Kion used the Roar of the Elders to blast Kenge and the hyenas back to the Outlands, where the melons were out of their reach. Together, the Lion Guard and Makini rolled the stolen melons back to the patch, where Bunga complained that the labor of moving the melons had been worse than taking on Kenge alone.
====Christmas====
In the Pride Lands, Bunga assisted Timon and Pumbaa in decorating an acacia tree with colored gourds. Timon attempted to place a star fruit at the top of the tree, but in doing so, he accidentally snapped a branch and began to plummet toward the ground. Coincidentally, the Lion Guard arrived at the base of the tree, and Beshte caught Timon on his back. The Lion Guard then inquired about the oddly decorated tree, and Bunga explained that they were decorating their tree in honor of Christmastime. He claimed that Timon and Pumbaa had made up the holiday themselves, but the two corrected him, explaining that they had heard about it from other animals. They added that Christmas was about gift-giving and that a mysterious creature called Dandy Claws often left presents for the animals of the savanna. Bunga then extoled Christmas to his friends.
Afterward, Timon wept over Dandy Claws's continued absence, and Pumbaa explained that Dandy Claws only brought presents if animals performed a special song called "The Twelve Ways of Christmas" under the Christmas tree on Christmas morning. This only worsened Timon's mood, and not even Bunga and Pumbaa could cheer him up. Kion then called for Bunga to join their patrol, and he did so unhappily.
While on patrol, Beshte noticed Bunga's somber mood, and Bunga admitted that he wished he could help his uncles meet Dandy Claws for Christmas. Kion asserted that the Lion Guard could help make this happen, to which Bunga excitedly began listing all the creatures and items that they must gather in order to properly perform the song. Though the list was vast, the team decided to split up in order to cover more ground and gather the necessary components quickly.
Across the kingdom, Bunga and Ono gathered grubs for the celebration. However, in the midst of their search, they sensed Pumbaa's rapid approach, and Bunga hastily stuffed the gathered grubs into Ono's mouth. The two groups converged, and both parties denied that they were planning a Christmas surprise for Timon. They then parted ways, with Pumbaa straying toward a patch of white flowers, while Bunga and Ono continued their search for grubs. However, Ono accidentally swallowed the grubs, which dismayed Bunga.
That night, the Lion Guard's animal recruits gathered in a canyon to practice for the celebration. Simba questioned Bunga as to what they needed to do in order to practice for the show, but Bunga remained unsure as to where he should begin. Seeing the animals' confusion, Ono stated that it was going to be a long night.
At sunrise, Kion expressed satisfaction with the animals' performances, but Bunga declared that they still needed more practice. Ma Tembo pointed out that they would never be able to live up to Bunga's expectations, and Simba agreed. The group started to break up and leave, but Kion called them back. Simba questioned his son as to why Christmas was so important, and Bunga explained that he wanted to make up for his uncles' good deeds over the years. This convinced Simba to devote himself back to the cause, and he called the others back to continue practice.
Later that day, Bunga hastened to Hakuna Matata Falls, where he woke his uncles from slumber. At first, Timon was reluctant to wake up, as he did not wish to face another disappointing Christmas, but Bunga insisted that the two follow him to the Christmas tree. Once there, Timon and Pumbaa were met by the Lion Guard, who sang "The Twelve Ways of Christmas" to them alongside their animal recruits.
After the song, Timon and Pumbaa wept with joy, and Timon thanked the gathered animals for making his Christmas vision come true. Despite Timon's joy, Bunga expressed sorrow that Dandy Claws had not appeared. However, Pumbaa appeared dressed in white flowers and a gourd hat, and proclaimed that he had hoped to make Timon's Christmas better by dressing up as Dandy Claws. He then admitted that he had spent so much time assembling his costume that he had been unable to buy Timon gifts.
Timon was quick to tell Pumbaa that he was not bothered by the lack of gifts, for the Pride Landers' song and Pumbaa's costume was more than enough of a present. He then reminded Pumbaa that the song had left them with many gifts, including berries and bugs, and the two concluded that this had been their best Christmas yet. The Lion Guard then decided to make Christmas an annual holiday in the Pride Lands, and the gathered Pride Landers yelled, "Merry Christmas!"
====Zazu's kidnapping====
One day, the Lion Guard gathered around Bupu, whose horns were stuck in the branches of a tree. Kion suggested breaking the branch off the tree, and Bupu reluctantly agreed to the plan. However, as Bunga began to bounce on the branch to weaken it, Nyuni the weaver revealed his presence and explained that his nest was at the end of the branch. Beshte questioned Nyuni as to why he had moved his home, and Nyuni explained that he liked to see different parts of the Pride Lands. Just then, Zazu arrived and commented that he would be including the commotion in his morning report to Simba. Kion then got the idea to have the branch broken off at the end so that Bupu could carry the rest of the branch as well as Nyuni's nest in his horns.
After the departure of Bupu, Nyuni, and Zazu, Fuli critiqued Zazu's nosiness, but Kion reminded her that it was part of his job to know the business of the Pride Landers. He then reminded her of the time that Zazu had saved him and Bunga from Makuu's float.
Later, at Pride Rock, Simba expressed concern that Zazu was late for his report, as he had never exhibited such behavior before. The Lion Guard asked Bupu and Nyuni about Zazu's whereabouts, but they denied having seen Zazu since their earlier entanglement, and Kion ordered his team to track Zazu through other methods. Before long, Ono located some of Zazu's tail feathers, which still carried his scent, and the Lion Guard spotted hyena tracks nearby. They then took off along the trail, following the prints to the Outlands.
Once in the Outlands, the Lion Guard overheard Zazu's singing and rushed to the rescue. They arrived just in time to stop Janja's clan from eating Zazu and began to engage them in a fight. During the battle, Zazu managed to roll down a hill in order to save Fuli from a pair of hyenas, but in doing so, he began to plummet toward the bottom of a volcano. Kion swiftly used the Roar of the Elders to clear a patch of rock on the lava, where Zazu landed, broke free of his cage, and was able to take to the air. With Zazu free, the hyenas gave up and retreated farther into the Outlands.
Back at Pride Rock, Zazu delivered his morning report to Simba, despite it being nighttime, as the Lion Guard looked on.
====Water treaty with Dhahabu====
Due to a severe drought, the Lion Guard was forced to break up a fight between Twiga's herd and Vuruga Vuruga's herd. Kion took the problem to Simba, who instructed the Lion Guard to journey to a watering hole in the Back Lands and ask the zebras there for permission to use it. Kion led his team into the Back Lands, but along the way, they encountered a hostile Makucha. He attempted to drive them out of his territory, but they defeated him easily and forced him to back off.
The team carried on until they encountered two zebra siblings named Raha and Starehe, who led them to their leader, Dhahabu. Once with the rest of the herd, the zebras began to praise their leader for being so uniquely beautiful and special. Bunga took an immediate liking to Dhahabu and even allowed her to incorrectly refer to him as a "mongoose."
Dhahabu took the Lion Guard aside and showed them the whole of Dhahabu Grove, which she pronounced as being the happiest place in the Back Lands. Kion explained to Dhahabu that the Pride Lands was experiencing a major drought and requested permission for his fellow Pride Landers to use the zebras' watering hole, but Dhahabu was evasive and demanded that the Lion Guard first bring her her herd's favorite food, a Tamboa plant.
The Lion Guard soon located a Tamboa plant, and Beshte carried it back to Dhahabu on his back. The Lion Guard presented it to her, adding that they had fulfilled their end of the bargain. To their shock, Dhahabu called off the deal and even forbid her own herd from using the watering hole. Suspicious, Kion sent Ono to investigate the situation, and Ono returned with news that the watering hole had dried up. Dhahabu admitted to Kion that she had noticed the water disappearing several days ago but had not wanted to make her herd unhappy by sharing the bad news. Kion offered to assist her with her water problem in exchange for the Pride Landers' access to her watering hole, to which Dhahabu delightfully agreed.
The Lion Guard followed Dhahabu to the watering hole, where she explained that there had once been a waterfall that had spilled into the pool. Ono investigated the dried-up falls and informed Kion that a rockslide had caused a blockage downriver. Once at the scene of the blockage, the Lion Guard got confronted by Makucha and his friends. The two groups engaged in a fight, during which the Lion Guard managed to chase away all of Makucha's minions. However, Makucha cornered Dhahabu and warned the Lion Guard that he would harm her if they did not surrender. Though Bunga offered himself up in her place, Makucha refused, disgusted. With some prompting from Kion, Dhahabu took action herself, kicking Makucha away from her and into the dam. The force of Makucha's hit caused the rocks to break apart, and the river swelled once more, filling Dhahabu's watering hole.
With Dhahabu's permission, Kion led the Pride Landers into Dhahabu Grove, where they joined the zebras in enjoying the water. Dhahabu invited the Lion Guard to join in, and they did so.
====Saving Makuu from Kiburi====
One day, the Lion Guard saw Makuu training his float to fight and accidentally mistook it for a real fight. They started to break up the sparring but were warned to stop by Hodari, a gecko, who was spectating from a tree. The Lion Guard quickly apologized to Makuu, and Makuu led his float in continuing their training.
Just then, Ono spotted a herd of cape buffalo stampeding toward the crocodiles, and Kion yelled for the float to take cover. Though the crocodiles managed to reach safety on a nearby cliff, the stampede caused a rockslide, which injured Makuu. Despite his injuries, Makuu insisted that he was fine and continued to train his float. The Lion Guard started to continue on their patrol, but Hodari halted Beshte and asked for his help in joining Makuu's float. Meanwhile, the rest of the Lion Guard saved Laini and two other galagos, who were trapped in a tree.
Later, Beshte lamented Hodari's predicament to his team. At that moment, Ono spotted Kiburi's float marching through the Pride Lands, and the Lion Guard rushed to stop them. Once at the scene of the invasion, the Lion Guard confronted Kiburi, who claimed to simply be visiting. He then introduced the team to his float's newest member, Hodari. He attempted to use Hodari's friendship with the Lion Guard to his advantage, but Kion was adamant about Kiburi's banishment and commanded the float to return to the Outlands. Kiburi reluctantly gave in, and the float left the Pride Lands.
The Lion Guard tried to warn Makuu that Kiburi was lurking in the Pride Lands, but Makuu insisted that his float could care for itself. Kion submitted to Makuu's request and led his team away from the float, unaware that Kiburi was watching from the shadows. The moment the Lion Guard departed, he and his float attacked Makuu, using Hodari's lessons to evade their attacks and seize an effortless victory.
Ono spotted the attack, and Kion led his team into battle against Kiburi's crocodiles. Eventually, with Hodari's help, Makuu defeated Kiburi, and the invading float backed off. With Kiburi's float incapacitated, Kion used the Roar of the Elders to banish the invaders back to the Outlands, which effectively saved Makuu and his float.
====Alliance with Tamaa====
When Janja and his clan began to chase Twiga and Juhudi, the Lion Guard rushed to the giraffes' defense. In the midst of the chase, Ono spotted Reirei and her jackals attacking a group of pangolins on the other side of the Pride Lands, and Kion was forced to split up his team. While he and Beshte continued to pursue the hyenas, Ono left with Bunga and Fuli to take on the jackals. The jackals initially had the upper hand, but with the pangolins' help, Fuli and Ono managed to fend the pack off. Bunga, meanwhile, arrived after his teammates and missed the action.
The Lion Guard regrouped at the edge of the Outlands, where they watched the jackals flee into the shadows. Kion expressed concern that his team was weaker when split up and wondered why both groups of Outlanders had given up so easily. Though Beshte tried to brush the scrapes off as a coincidence, Ono caught sight of the hyenas and jackals converging in the Outlands, which confirmed Kion's suspicions. Bunga was unaffected and commented that all they had to do was be in two places at once, which gave Kion the idea to recruit Tamaa to help them be in two places at once.
Later, Ono spotted the jackals chasing down a herd of gazelles, and Kion ordered his team to pursue them. Shortly into the chase, Ono caught sight of the hyenas stalking Rafiki, and Kion quickly changed course, sending Tamaa ahead to deal with the jackals, while the Lion Guard defended Rafiki from the hyenas. Once at the scene of the attack, the Lion Guard joined forces with Rafiki and defeated the entirety of Janja's clan. Just then, Reirei's pack arrived to help the hyenas, and a fight instigated, during which the Lion Guard and Rafiki beat back against the combined force of the hyenas and the jackals. After the Outlanders retreated, Rafiki approached the Lion Guard and thanked them for their help in saving his life.
====Sumu's attack====
In the Lair of the Lion Guard, Makini and the Lion Guard discussed how Scar had been defeated by Simba, which had inspired the Kumbuka celebration. Bunga tried to argue that his adoptive uncles were the true heroes, since they had distracted the hyenas, but the rest of the Lion Guard credited Simba with the victory.
At Pride Rock, the Pride Landers gathered for the Kumbuka celebration. However, in the midst of the festivities, Sumu stung Simba's tail and retreated, leaving Simba to collapse. Rafiki rushed to the king's side and examined the sting, determining that it had been inflicted by a scorpion. Kion sent Ono to find the scorpion, and together, the Lion Guard chased him into the Outlands.
With the scorpion gone, the Lion Guard returned to Pride Rock, where Simba had weakened severely. Rafiki explained that the only cure was volcanic ash, which could be found in the Outlands, and tasked the Lion Guard with retrieving it. Bunga offered to carry the gourd that would hold the ash, but when he almost broke it, Rafiki ordered Makini to accompany the team.
In the Outlands, Scar received word of Sumu's success and directed his army to intercept the Lion Guard on their way to the volcano. The plan worked, with Janja, Kiburi, Reirei, and their respective clans slowing down the Lion Guard's progress through the Outlands. At last, the Lion Guard reached the inner volcano, where Makini placed a pinch of the ash in her gourd. As the team turned to leave, Scar arose from the flames and revealed himself to Kion, admitting his part in the plan to kill Simba. Despite Scar's confession, Kion directed his team to leave, as he was worried about arriving too late to save his father. Scar then called his army forward, and they cornered the Lion Guard at the edge of the lava.
With no option left, Kion used the Roar carefully to blow away Scar's army, and the Lion Guard made a quick escape. Scar sent Mzingo and his parliament after the Lion Guard, and the vultures nearly wrestled the gourd from Makini. However, the rest of the team arrived just in time to fend off the vultures, and Kion used his Roar to ensure that they were not delayed again.
The Lion Guard continued racing across the savanna, with Kion watching the sun worriedly. Fuli informed Kion that she could reach Pride Rock in time but that she could not carry the gourd herself. Bunga then volunteered to ride Fuli and carry the gourd himself, and the two raced ahead of the rest of the Lion Guard.
The rest of the Lion Guard soon arrived at Pride Rock, where Simba was weak but recovering, and Rafiki ordered everyone to leave Simba to his recovery. Kion reconvened with the rest of the Lion Guard and declared that their duty was to protect the Pride Lands. They then stared out over the kingdom, as Kion reminded them that they could defeat Scar.
====Fire at Poromoko Crevasse====
At Pride Rock, Rafiki tasked Makini with finding Kongwe, the oldest and wisest animal in the Pride Lands, asserting that they needed her wisdom and advice about Scar's return. Beshte commented that Kongwe lived near the Urembo River, which was a half-day's walk from Pride Rock. Simba worried that this was too long of a delay, but Fuli volunteered to lend her assistance in order to speed up the trip. While she and Makini departed to find Kongwe, the rest of the Lion Guard set off on patrol.
The Lion Guard soon spotted a group of hyraxes attempting to cross a rock bridge. Ono realized that the bridge was unstable, and the Lion Guard warned the hyraxes to keep away moments before the rocks gave way and collapsed. The team worried that the hyraxes would be unable to reach a watering source, so Beshte made a bridge by hoisting a rock onto his back and holding it up for the hyraxes to cross. Just then, Ono spotted a herd of elands trapped in a wildfire at the Poromoko Crevasse, and the Lion Guard hurried away to rescue them.
Ono guided the rest of the Lion Guard through the smoke to where the elands were. The team then led the elands away from the fire to a canyon. However, as Beshte started to lead them down into the canyon, a spark set nearby bushes on fire, blocking the path. Ono worried that the narrowest part of the canyon was not short enough of a distance for the elands to jump, so Kion ordered Beshte to make another bridge, just as he had for the hyraxes. Beshte did as he had been told, and the elands crossed safely to the other side.
At sunset, Fuli, Makini, and Kongwe convened with the rest of the Lion Guard. Together, they went to Pride Rock, where Kongwe advised Simba and Kion to be patient. Kongwe then assured Simba and the Lion Guard that good always triumphed over evil in the end.
====Kilio Valley fire====
In Kilio Valley, the Lion Guard struggled to put out a widespread brush fire. While the team spread out, accepting help from several of Ma Tembo's herd members, Ma Tembo led the rest of the herd out of the valley. However, she was cornered among the flames by Janja, Kiburi, Reirei, and their respective followers. Ono overheard Janja's cackling and reported what he had heard to Kion, who suspected Scar of having caused the trouble. He then ordered his team to protect the elephants, which left Kilio Valley to the mercy of the fire.
Once to safety, Ma Tembo mourned her destroyed home. An ornery member of her herd, Zito, blamed the Lion Guard for having failed to save Kilio Valley, to which Kion guiltily accepted the criticism. Ma Tembo appealed to Kion for help in finding a temporary home, and he resolved to do so.
Kion led the elephants to the galagos and then the giraffes, but both groups turned them away. Frustrated, Kion ordered Bupu to be patient with the elephants until the Lion Guard could come up with another solution. He then asked Ono for a report on Kilio Valley. Ono did as he had been instructed and informed Kion that Scar's army had remained in the valley. Guilty, Kion realized that he had helped enable Scar's plan to take over the Pride Lands.
The Lion Guard soon discovered that Ma Tembo's herd had been forcibly outed by Bupu. Kion approached the herd and assured Ma Tembo that he would find them a new home, but Ma Tembo insisted that they must leave the Pride Lands, as no one else wanted them.
Just then, Ono alerted Kion to a new fire that had broken out at Ndefu Grove. The Lion Guard rushed to the grove, where Laini begged them to save her galagos. Bunga, Fuli, and Kion quickly pinpointed the galagos, who were trapped in a tree, and saved them from the flames. However, as they were delivering the galagos safely back to Laini, Beshte informed them that the fire was not being put out fast enough. Kion resolved to find help, while the rest of the Lion Guard stayed behind to combat the fire. Per Kion's request, the elephants arrived in Ndefu Grove and put out the fire. Afterward, Laini welcomed them into her home as thanks for their help.
====Alliance with Kinyonga====
One day, the Lion Guard waited on the border of the Outlands and the Pride Lands, when Ono suddenly appeared, with Mwoga and Mzingo in hot pursuit. Ono landed safely among his teammates and reported that Janja and his clan were paying a visit to Scar.
Just then, Thurston's frightened brays attracted the Lion Guard's attention, and the team approached him and his herd, asking what the problem was. Thurston reported that a nearby rock had been talking to him, though the team had its doubts. However, Twiga soon appeared with a similar claim about a tree. Kion quickly calmed the animals and promised to figure out what was going on.
Together, the Lion Guard investigated Twiga's tree. A chameleon briefly appeared before the team, then raced away, blending in with her surroundings as she went. The team took chase, and Ono was able to spot her with his keen sight. The chameleon then revealed herself to them, as she realized that they were the Lion Guard, and introduced herself as Kinyonga. She then showed off her camouflage abilities to the team.
After parting ways with Kinyonga, Ono apologized for having been spotted by the vultures. Kinyonga overheard the dilemma and offered to sneak into the Outlands and spy on its inhabitants for the Guard. Though reluctant, Kion agreed to her plan.
Later, the Lion Guard worried over what was keeping Kinyonga. As they waited, Bunga jumped out of the underbrush, decked in camouflage. Kion ordered Ono to look for Kinyonga, and Ono spotted her being pursued by the skinks. He reported back to the team, and Bunga suggested storming the Outlands and taking on any enemies who tried to stop them. Kion worried that a battle would not save Kinyonga and declared that he had an idea as to how they could enter the Outlands unseen.
Meanwhile, in the Outlands, Shupavu heard a mysterious voice and turned to find that the Lion Guard had snuck up on the skinks by using foliage and mud to conceal themselves. The skinks retreated, and Kinyonga explained that Scar was planning to cut off the water source at Hakuna Matata Falls. Consequently, the team resolved to return to the Pride Lands and foil the plot.
Come nighttime, the hyenas attempted to block up the river, but the Lion Guard once more camouflaged themselves and launched a surprise attack. As the hyenas retreated, Cheezi wondered how the Lion Guard had managed to learn such a trick, to which Kinyonga suddenly appeared and took the credit. Her unexpected appearance startled the hyenas, who fell into the river and careened over the edge of Hakuna Matata Falls.
The next morning, Ono reported that Kinyonga was still missing. At that moment, the Lion Guard noticed Thurston speaking to a rock and figured that it must be Kinyonga at work. They approached Kinyonga and questioned her, to which she expressed guilt over scaring Janja and his clan into the river. Bunga assured her that it did not matter if the hyenas got spooked, and she vowed to never scare anyone again. However, Thurston got frightened by her appearance, and he and his herd fled from her. The Lion Guard quickly took chase.
====Test in the Lair of the Lion Guard====
One day, the Lion Guard examined paintings in the Lair of the Lion Guard in the hopes of finding a way to defeat Scar. Before long, Kion noticed a boulder blocking a painting and instructed Beshte to move it. With the boulder out of the way, the Lion Guard found a secret passage leading deep into the heart of the Lair. Makini used her bakora staff to bring a painting to life, which detailed 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 led the Guard into the caverns, while Makini stayed behind for her own safety.
As the Lion Guard ventured deeper into the Lair, they reached a weak section of floor, where the ground collapsed beneath them. After Beshte slowed their momentum, the Guard set off in a new direction, though they continually met dead-ends. Once out of the labyrinth, the Guard realized that the underground chamber was a test in which a Lion Guard must prove its worth. Just then, Makini arrived, having followed the Guard's pawprints, and Kion reluctantly allowed her to join the quest.
The team ventured on until they reached a canyon. Makini used her bakora staff to awaken a nearby painting, which showed the bravest of Askari's Lion Guard walking in midair across the divide. Bunga recklessly jumped across the canyon but miraculously landed in midair. The Guard then realized that the divide was an optical illusion in which a stone bridge appeared to blend in with the rest of the landscape. Together, the team crossed over safely.
The Lion Guard eventually reached another chamber, where Makini led them to a painting. She explained 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 led them into a chamber where there was a pool of water and yet another painting. At first, the team could not decipher where the unstoppable force was, but then Kion realized that it was their reflection, or the Lion Guard itself, that was the unstoppable force. Makini brought the painting to life, showing how Askari's Guard had worked together to defeat the evil lions. As one, the Guard looked up at the painting, which shifted into the symbol of the Guard, and cried out their catchphrase.
====Abnormal Outlander attacks====
Together, the Lion Guard saved a pair of hyraxes from a dustdevil. Nearby, Thurston got aggravated by the storm and proclaimed to the Lion Guard that they should be putting a stop to the dustdevils. Just then, Ono spotted another dustdevil, and Kion led the team to the site of the storm. The Guard proceeded to rescue a pangolin from the dustdevil.
Later, the Lion Guard was helping the pangolins when Cheezi and Chungu attacked them with red flowers. Beshte used his strength to dispatch of the two, and Kion wondered why the attack had been so odd. The team then took off to deal with another dustdevil, during which they rescued Mbuni and two other ostriches from sand that had filled up a gully. Just then, Goigoi approached with berry stripes painted on his fur, and the Lion Guard noticed his presence. Disappointed, he retreated, and Fuli questioned the strange occurrences.
Later, Tamka and Nduli attempted to tickle the Lion Guard's bellies, only to be blown away by Kion's Roar of the Elders. Kion voiced his concern that Scar was behind the attacks and ordered Ono to scout out the Outlands. Ono soon spotted Thurston being attacked by Cheezi, Chungu, Goigoi, Nduli, and Tamka. Since he was a Pride Lander, Kion decided that it was their duty to save him.
Once in the Outlands, the Lion Guard chased off the Outlanders. Thurston then revealed that he had been advising the Outlanders, and the Lion Guard realized why they had been the butt-end of such strange attacks. Together, the team and Thurston left the Outlands to return home.
====Hyena Resistance====
The Lion Guard defended the Pride Lands from a three-way attack by Janja's clan, Kiburi's float, and Reirei's pack. During the attack, Bunga attempted a complicated move with a stick but performed it incorrectly and injured himself. Eventually, the Guard defeated the Outlanders, who retreated to the Outlands. Bunga struggled to walk from his injury, and the rest of the team encouraged him to visit Rafiki. However, he refused and insisted that he was fine.
Just then, Jasiri tackled Kion to the ground. She commented on how strange it was that all the Outlanders had been banding together, and Kion explained that they were all fighting under Scar's banner. He offered Jasiri and her clan a place in the Pride Lands for protection, but she insisted that they must protect their turf.
Later, Bunga visited Rafiki and received instruction on how to fight with a stick. Each of Bunga's attempts ended in failure, but Rafiki encouraged Bunga to keep practicing nonetheless.
Back in the Outlands, Jasiri overheard Janja plotting with his clan to take over Mizimu Grove with Kiburi and Reirei's groups. She sent Madoa to warn the Lion Guard, while she and the rest of her clan intercepted Janja's clan. The plan worked, with the Lion Guard defeating Kiburi and Reirei in Mizimu Grove, while Jasiri and her clan blocked Janja's access to the Pride Lands with a rockslide.
After the Hyena Resistance foiled several Outlander attacks, Jasiri celebrated her clan's success with the Guard on the border of the Outlands and the Pride Lands. Later, Madoa informed the Lion Guard that Scar was planning their biggest attack yet on Mizimu Grove, unaware that it was a trap. She returned to Jasiri, only for the clan to be set upon by Janja, Kiburi, and Reirei. Across the Pride Lands, the Lion Guard wondered why the attack was taking so long. Ono scouted the Outlands and caught sight of Jasiri's clan being attacked. Together, the Lion Guard rushed to the clan's aid and defeated the three Outlander groups.
====Trapped in the aardvark burrows====
Upon hearing Tiifu and Zuri yelling for help, the Lion Guard followed the sound of their voices to Pride Rock. However, once they arrived, they discovered that the cubs had simply been distressed about how the heat was messing up their fur. Just then, Kiara and Nala arrived and chastised the two for having caused a scene. Beshte suggested that Tiifu and Zuri visit the mudpots at the edge of the Pride Lands to moisturize their fur, and they agreed enthusiastically and invited Kiara to join them. Nala suggested taking along a Lion Guard escort, and Bunga volunteered for the job. Nala suggested Kion instead, and the group settled on both Bunga and Kion going.
Together, Bunga, Kion, Kiara, Tiifu, and Zuri traveled to the mudpots and began to play in the mud. While they were playing, Muhangus emerged from a nearby burrow and ordered them to keep quiet. Unbeknownst to the cubs, Scar had ordered Mzingo to set fire to the nearby grasslands in an attempt to hurt them. Mzingo did as he had been commanded, and the cubs soon got walled in by flames. Bunga, Kion, and Kiara attempted to create a fire line, but the flames spread too quickly, and the cubs were forced to escape into Muhangus's burrow.
Once underground, the cubs began to search for a way out. Along the way, they encountered Kuchimba, a golden mole, who tried to protect his tunnels from them. Upon realizing that they were simply passing through, Kuchimba offered to help them find their way out. Eventually, he led them to the end of his tunnel and instructed them to take the main tunnel out into the Pride Lands.
No sooner had Kuchima left when Kion realized that there were several tunnels to choose from. As the friends continued navigating the tunnels, they heard nearby hooves pounding and ran into Thurston. They questioned Thurston as to which direction he had come from, but he was unable to remember.
Just then, Kion got the idea to track down Muhangus and ask him for directions. Kiara caught the aardvark's scent, and Kion and Bunga dug through a tunnel wall to reach his warren. At first, Muhangus was loath to help the friends, but when Bunga threatened to move in with him, he begrudgingly agreed to lead them aboveground. With Muhangus in the lead, the group reached the end of the tunnel, only for Thurston to panic at the thought of being underground. However, Tiifu managed to calm him down, and the group exited the tunnel safely.
Once outside, the group was met by Beshte, Fuli, and Ono, who had been searching for them. Bunga proceeded to explain what had happened.
====Alliance with Shujaa====
At the watering hole, the Lion Guard regulated when the giraffes and zebras were to take turns drinking. Suddenly, a gorilla appeared, smashing everything in sight. While Beshte and Ono calmed the panicked giraffes and zebras, Bunga, Fuli, and Kion confronted the gorilla. At first, the gorilla was hostile, but, upon realizing that he was facing the Lion Guard, he backed down. He proceeded to introduce himself as Shujaa and explained that Sokwe had sent him to assist the Lion Guard.
Just then, Ono informed the Lion Guard that the crocodiles, hyenas, and jackals were attacking Big Springs. Alongside Shujaa, the team raced to the rescue and confronted the invaders. However, before the Lion Guard could step in, Shujaa heaved boulders and trees at the Outlanders, effectively driving them away from Big Springs. In the process, he destroyed the nearby area, blocking aardvark dens, trapping hares in mud, and tangling some oryx's horns. Though Shujaa was upset, the Lion Guard resolved to clean up the mess.
No sooner had they finished when Ono informed them that the crocodiles, hyenas, and jackals had returned to hunt a herd of sable antelope. Kion suggested cutting through Nyani Grove, which inspired Shujaa to charge through the grove and begin clearing a wide path. In doing so, he knocked the baboons from their trees, and they, in turn, charged into a herd of cape buffalo, inciting a stampede. Beshte and Fuli rushed after the panicked animals to calm them, while Bunga, Kion, and Ono followed Shujaa.
As Shujaa approached the Outlanders, Kion entered the scene behind him and ordered the sable antelope to move. He then used the Roar of the Elders to blast the Outlanders away. Before long, Beshte and Fuli returned, and the Lion Guard lamented the state that Nyani Grove was in. Kion explained to Shujaa that he did not know his own strength, and Beshte offered to teach the gorilla what he knew. Shujaa agreed, and the two moved off together to train.
Later, the Lion Guard defended Big Springs from yet another attack from the Army of Scar. Together, the Lion Guard worked to put out the blaze and fought the invading Outlanders. Ono begged Shujaa for help, and the gorilla only agreed to fight for the sake of Beshte, who was injured. After winning the battle, the Lion Guard praised Shujaa and commented that they were glad that Sokwe had sent him.
====Training the Pride Landers====
One day, the Lion Guard rushed to stop Bupu's herd and the galagos from stampeding. Once calm, the groups admitted that they had been scared of a jackal attack, and the Lion Guard concluded that the Pride Landers must unite against the threat of the Outlanders. They proceeded to gather together Bupu's herd, Laini's group, Ma Tembo's herd, and Mbeya's crash.
At first, the Pride Landers were tense, but Kion worked to defuse the tension. He instructed the animals to race toward Bunga, but the event soon got out of hand, for the animals tripped over the galagos and ended up in a heap. Kion then got the idea to call Makuu for help. Makuu begrudgingly agreed to help, but his training was too rigorous and ruthless for the other Pride Landers to master. Kion urged Makuu to be kinder to his fellow Pride Landers, but Makuu left in a huff and vowed to only look out for his own float if trouble should arise.
Unbeknownst to the Pride Landers, Shupavu and Njano were spying on the proceedings and reported what they had heard to Scar. Scar, in turn, decided to attack Makuu's watering hole, since the crocodiles' alliance with Kion was fraying. Per Scar's orders, the Army of Scar besieged Makuu's float, with Kiburi targeting Makuu. Ono witnessed the battle and reported his findings to Kion. Together, the Lion Guard and their Pride Lander allies stormed the watering hole and fought off the Army of Scar.
====Dhahabu's visit====
After meeting with Simba atop Pride Rock, Dhahabu embarked on a tour around the Pride Lands with Kiara, Tiifu, and Zuri. The Lion Guard tagged along at Dhahabu's insistence, to Bunga's delight.
Before long, the Lion Guard ran into Dhahabu's assistants, Raha and Starehe, who were depressed that their queen had no need of them. Ono offered to find her for them and soon discovered that she was being attacked by jackals. Along with Raha and Starehe, the Lion Guard rushed to the rescue and fought off the jackal pack. To the Lion Guard's surprise, Raha and Starehe did not correct Dhahabu when she credited Tiifu and Zuri with the victory.
Later, Dhahabu was freshening up at a water hole when the jackals attacked again, this time with crocodile allies. Ono informed the Lion Guard of the predicament, and Raha and Starehe raced off to defend their queen. After the fight, Dhahabu relieved Fuli, Tiifu, and Zuri of their duties and appointed Raha and Starehe in their stead. Together, the animals returned to Pride Rock, where Dhahabu renewed her water treaty with the Pride Landers.
====Scar's attack on Mizimu Grove====
At Big Springs, Timon and Pumbaa wandered by the Lion Guard on the trail of a slug. No sooner had they left when Makini approached and showed off a plant root that would be part of her mpando mpaya, which was the traditional planting of a new baobab tree by a Royal Mjuzi. This prompted Kion to chase after Timon and Pumbaa, and ask them to perform at Makini's mpando mpaya. That way, he reasoned, the Pride Landers would treat it like a celebratory event and have their spirits raised.
At Mizimu Grove, Rafiki and Simba announced the celebration, and Timon and Pumbaa performed "Tujiinue". In the midst of the celebration, the Army of Scar attacked, and the Pride Landers rose up to defend themselves. The battle paused, however, when Scar appeared in the flames and threatened to overtake the entirety of the Pride Lands.
Kion used the Roar of the Elders to defeat the Outlanders, while Simba deliberated what to do with Ma Tembo. Once the Lion Guard had calmed the Pride Landers, Simba approached his subjects and admitted that he had had knowledge of Scar's return for some time. The herds deliberated whether they should leave the Pride Lands, and Simba told them to inform him of their decision the following morning at Pride Rock.
The next morning, at Pride Rock, Kion implored the Pride Landers to follow him to Mizimu Grove before they decided to leave the Pride Lands. The herds followed Kion to Mizimu Grove, where Makini's baobab tree seed had survived the fire. This inspired them to remain in the kingdom and work together to defeat Scar.
====Alliance with Anga====
When fire sticks began raining from the sky, the Lion Guard rushed to protect Twiga's herd. In the midst of the attack, Ono attempted to find the source of the fire sticks, but the high altitude forced him to return to the ground. This gave Beshte the idea to talk to Anga, a high-flying martial eagle.
The Lion Guard found Anga in a grove of trees, and she agreed to help them find the source of the fire sticks. Just then, another attack began, and Anga and Ono took off to investigate the problem. Upon discovering that vultures were behind the attacks, Anga reported what she had seen to the Lion Guard, and Kion suggested that they rally the kingdom's birds to help stop the vultures. At Ono's suggestion, he and Anga departed to ask Hadithi for help.
Ono implored Hadithi to help the Lion Guard, and Hadithi agreed, leading his followers to where the Lion Guard had gathered to plan their next move. Once the birds and the Lion Guard had rallied, they took off to thwart another attack, this time over the Maumivu Thorn Patch. Once the birds had rounded up the vultures, Kion used the Roar of the Elders to banish them back to the Outlands. Kion then thanked the birds of the Pride Lands for their help.
===Adolescence===
====Battle for the Pride Lands====
One day, the Lion Guard visited Makini's sapling at Mizimu Grove and resolved to defeat Scar. Just then, Anga approached and reported that Scar's army had been spotted near Mapango Cliffs, and the Lion Guard rushed off to drive out the intruders.
Over the seasons, the Lion Guard kept Scar's army from invading the Pride Lands. During a skirmish with the army, Jasiri and the Lion Guard witnessed Kion using the Roar of the Elders to defeat the Outlanders at Flat Ridge Rock. After the fight, Rafiki and Simba approached, and Simba asserted that, despite the Lion Guard's best efforts, Scar's army remained undefeated. Thus, he reasoned, the Pride Landers should take the fight to the Outlands. Bunga declared that it was about time, and Simba agreed. Kion reminded his father that they did not know how to defeat Scar, but Simba argued that Scar would be powerless without his followers and that they could have peace in the Pride Lands once more. Jasiri and the Lion Guard agreed to the plan, and Bunga vowed to assemble the galagos. Unbeknownst to the Lion Guard, Njano and Shupavu reported what had transpired to Scar.
That evening, the Pride Landers trained at Pride Rock for the upcoming battle against Scar's army. Kion began to suffer doubts about his ability to lead, but the rest of the Lion Guard encouraged him to stand up and fight.
That night, Janja's clan baited the Lion Guard into following them into the Lair of the Lion Guard. At the same time, Scar's army set fire to Pride Rock, trapping both the Lion Guard and Janja's clan inside the Lair. Bunga urged Kion to use the Roar in order to escape the Lair, but he refused. Bunga next proposed that they use the water from Beshte's pool to put out the fire, and Beshte surmised that the pool led to Lake Shangaza. Along with Janja's clan, the Lion Guard used the pool to escape the Lair. No sooner had the team escaped when Scar appeared in the flames of Pride Rock and boasted to the Pride Landers that the Lion Guard had perished in the fire. However, the Lion Guard revealed themselves, to the Pride Landers' joy, and Scar urged the gathered animals to abandon their home. He then disappeared alongside the flames.
Once Scar had gone, the Pride Landers despaired over their chances against him. However, Janja informed Kion that he could destroy Scar's spirit by using the Roar of the Elders inside the volcano, and Bunga expressed excitement at the prospect. The Pride Landers subsequently resolved to invade the Outlands and clear a path for Kion to reach Scar. Back in the Outlands, Scar informed Ushari that he had lied to Janja, for if Kion used the Roar inside the volcano, he would start a massive eruption that would destroy the Pride Lands.
The next morning, the Pride Landers invaded the Outlands, and the Lion Guard broke into the volcano's inner chamber. While Scar distracted the Lion Guard, Ushari snuck up on Kion and slashed him across the eye, giving him a scar and injecting him with venom. Scar taunted Kion, asserting that he was now marked by evil and had the same destiny as Scar himself. Bunga urged Kion to use the Roar to destroy Scar, but Kion instead summoned the Great Lions of the Past, who judged Scar by sending down rain that melted him away. Ushari tried to avenge Scar's death by lunging at Kion, but Bunga intercepted the attack and knocked them both into the lava pit below. Just in time, Ono saved Bunga from falling into the lava and carried him back to safety.
After the battle, the Pride Landers celebrated their victory, and Jasiri became the queen of the Outlands. However, Ono mourned the loss of his sight due to too much exposure to smoke and volcanic fumes. As a result, the Lion Guard decided to bring both Kion and Ono before Rafiki for healing. Along the way, Kion's scar caused him so much pain that he accidentally used the Roar on Bunga. Rather than be angry, Bunga told Kion to warn him before he did that again.
At the Lair of the Lion Guard, Rafiki examined Ono's injury. Bunga asked Rafiki if he could heal Ono's vision like he had before, but Rafiki admitted that this injury was more serious. Though Ono was crestfallen by his predicament, Bunga reminded him that he had been the strongest for diving after him inside the volcano. Rafiki soon turned to Kion's injury, and Bunga mentioned Scar's comment that Kion's scar could turn him evil. However, Rafiki shushed Bunga and remarked that, if uncured, Kion would no longer be able to tell right from wrong, to which Bunga added that he would become like Scar. Upon learning from Rafiki that the only place where they could heal was the Tree of Life, Kion and Ono resolved to journey there, and Simba and Nala allowed the Lion Guard to accompany them. Bunga pointed out that Ono was no longer the keenest of sight, and so Kion appointed Anga to be the team's keenest of sight instead, while Ono remained on the Lion Guard as its smartest member. Bunga wondered if Kion could do that, to which Beshte reminded him that Kion was the leader of the Lion Guard.
Later, the Lion Guard left the Pride Lands, along with Makini, to seek healing at the Tree of Life.
====Journey to the Tree of Life====
=====Makucha's plot=====
While en route to the Tree of Life, the Lion Guard arrived at the first landmark of their journey: a waterfall in the Back Lands. With the help of Anga, they spotted the next landmark, an iroko tree, in the distance. The team started toward the tree, only to get intercepted by Makucha, who demanded that they leave his territory. He and his friends, Fahari and Jiona, attacked the Lion Guard until a dust storm called a harmattan interrupted the fight. Anga used her eyesight to guide the Lion Guard to a cave by the waterfall, but upon entering the cave, they discovered that Makucha and his friends had already taken shelter there.
Kion, irritated by the pain in his scar, nearly started a fight with Makucha, but his friends calmed him down. Once at peace, Kion implored his team to leave, but Makucha explained that a harmattan could last for weeks and that he did not want them staying in his territory for that long. He then offered to guide them out of his territory, and Kion accepted.
Together, the leopards and the Lion Guard ventured out into the harmattan. Along the way, Makini chattered with Anga about the Tree of Life, during which she revealed that many sick animals journeyed there for healing. Makucha drew his friends aside and schemed to lead the Lion Guard off a cliff and force Makini to lead them to the Tree of Life.
Makucha proceeded to lead the Lion Guard toward a canyon that ended in a cliff. While on the way, Ono got blown away in the storm and realized that the direction of the wind had changed, which meant that Makucha was leading them astray. Too late, Bunga fell off the cliff and only narrowly grabbed on to a branch.
Just then, Ono arrived and warned his team members of Makucha's trap. They, in turn, turned to face Makucha and his friends. A brief scuffle broke out, during which Anga rescued Bunga from falling off the cliff. The winds began to pick up, and Ono warned the Lion Guard to take shelter behind some rocks. The leopards did not hear his warning and got blown away as a result. Enraged, Makucha resolved to follow the Lion Guard to the Tree of Life.
With the danger abated, the Lion Guard arrived at the iroko tree. They assured Ono that he was a valuable member of the team, then set off for a two-peaked mountain, the next landmark on their journey.
=====Befriending the snow monkeys=====
The Lion Guard struggled to climb up a mountain on their way to the Tree of Life. The team wondered if they should travel around the mountain, but Kion insisted that they climb over it to save time. However, he ended up slipping on the snow and knocking the entire Lion Guard down the slope with him.
After the fall, Fuli suggested that they take the route around the mountain, but Kion angrily insisted that they continue climbing. Just then, Makini spotted a family of snow monkeys relaxing in a hot spring. Anga flew over to ask for directions but only succeeded in scaring them, as they were afraid of birds of prey.
Impatient, Kion decided to use the Roar of the Elders on the mountain in order to blow a hole through it. He proceeded to use the Roar, but it merely started an avalanche that came barreling toward the Lion Guard. The team managed to rescue the snow monkeys from danger, with Bunga saving Kimyo, but the monkeys' home got buried in the process.
After the avalanche, Kion apologized to the snow monkeys and vowed to find them a new home as repayment. Yuki, the matriarch, explained that they wanted a hot spring with plenty of available food and no trees for large birds to nest in. Anga spotted a hot spring nearby but warned that it was out of their way and had many nearby trees. Fuli cautioned Kion that they did not have time for such a delay, but he refused to see reason and insisted that they journey to the hot spring anyway.
When the Lion Guard arrived at the hot spring, they were greeted by flying squirrels, including one named Tafu, whom Bunga caught out of midair. The snow monkeys ran off, terrified, and ended up falling into a deep hole in the snow. Anga witnessed the monkeys' disappearance, and Kion ordered the Lion Guard to investigate. Once more, Fuli warned Kion that he was not thinking clearly, but he brushed her comments aside.
When the Lion Guard arrived on the scene, Bunga fell into the hole himself. Ono warned the others that they could not get too close, else they would fall in as well, and that any movement within the hole would cause the snow monkeys and Bunga to fall deeper. Though the team looked to Kion for direction, he asked Fuli for help, as he was not thinking clearly. She agreed and ordered Anga to lift the snow monkeys out in her talons.
Anga approached the snow monkeys and told them that she would carry them to safety in her talons, but the snow monkeys reacted with fear and panic as she approached them, which caused snow to fill the hole. Even so, Anga managed to burst out of the snow with the snow monkeys and Bunga safely in her talons. Once they had landed, Fuli told Anga to find a new hot spring for the snow monkeys. Anga did so, and the Lion Guard led the snow monkeys to their new home. Once there, Fuli allowed the team to take a brief reprieve, as they had earned it.
=====Saving Domog's pack=====
While on their way to the Tree of Life, the Lion Guard reached a bamboo forest. Anga spotted a patch of tuliza, and Bunga offered to fetch some for Kion. He bounded up a cliff to reach the tuliza but slipped and fell a great height to the snow below. After Bunga's fall, a pack of red pandas approached and hailed Bunga as "Songoson Khün." They slathered him with orange paint, set him on a stone, and presented him with grubs. The Lion Guard approached questioningly, and a red panda named Dughi explained that a Chosen One was destined to fall from the sky and defeat the Ghost of the Mountain.
Just then, the pack's leader, Domog, approached and explained that their pack had been haunted by an invisible force that had driven them from their homes. Kion agreed to help the red pandas defeat the ghost in order to keep the Circle of Life in balance and added that, even though they were not in the Pride Lands anymore, they were still the Lion Guard.
The team journeyed up the mountain, where they were set upon by an invisible foe. The team struggled to catch the "ghost" until it leaped onto a rock, which allowed Anga to see that it was a cat-like creature. Ono identified the "ghost" as a snow leopard, and the Lion Guard tracked its footprints up the slope. Eventually, through teamwork, the Lion Guard cornered the snow leopard, Chuluun, against a rock. Kion warned Chuluun to leave the red pandas alone, but she asserted that she followed her own rules. However, before she could escape, Bunga tackled her, covering her in his orange paint. Chuluun managed to fight him off and escape.
No sooner had Chuluun disappeared when the team overheard fearful cries, and Anga spotted Chuluun, marked by orange paint, attacking Domog's pack. The Lion Guard raced to the rescue, only for Chuluun to evade them once again. Domog questioned if the Guard had found the Ghost of the Mountain, and they explained that Chuluun was behind the ghostly attacks. They then implored the red pandas to join them in defeating her.
Together, the Lion Guard and the red pandas followed Chuluun and cornered her at the edge of a cliff. However, Chuluun rolled around in the snow to mask herself once more. Bunga ordered the red pandas to keep Chuluun surrounded, then released stink in her face. A shocked Chuluun subsequently lost her footing and plummeted off the cliff.
Back at the bamboo forest, Bunga was hailed as a hero by Domog's pack. Domog explained that Bunga had taught them the importance of teamwork. Just then, Makini identified the next moja kwa moja stone, and the Lion Guard continued on their journey. Meanwhile, Makucha recruited Chuluun to follow the Lion Guard to the Tree of Life with him.
=====Journey through the marsh=====
The Lion Guard traveled through a marsh, during which Bunga snacked on snails. Just then, the team got attacked by mongooses. As the Lion Guard fought them off, Makini carried Ono away to safety. After the fight, the Lion Guard realized that Makini and Ono were missing and set off to find them.
As the Lion Guard searched for their missing friends, Bunga snacked on more snails. Just then, the mongooses launched another attack on the Lion Guard but were swiftly defeated. Afterward, Fuli and Kion tracked Makini and Ono by scent. They found Makini's footprints and were baffled that the prints led in circles.
Meanwhile, Bunga ate more snails. Just then, the mongooses attacked again, and Kion pinned one, demanding to know why they kept attacking the Lion Guard. The mongoose explained that Bunga was eating their snails. Just then, Makini and Ono emerged from underground. Together, the Lion Guard journeyed toward the next moja kwa moja stone, and Anga picked up Bunga in her talons to keep him from eating more snails.
=====Dragon Island=====
While traveling, the Lion Guard stumbled upon an island. Kion wondered where the next moja kwa moja stone was, and Anga explained that it was on a hill on the island. The team ventured toward it, only to stop at the edge of the sea. Bunga started to play in the waves when he got swept out to sea. However, he was rescued by a dolphin named Lumba-Lumba. The Lion Guard bid Lumba-Lumba farewell and continued toward the island.
As the team started to cross a land bridge to the island, they were intercepted by an old civet, who warned them about the dragons that inhabited the island. The Lion Guard, however, brushed his warnings aside and continued on their way. Once on the island, Makini bounded off to gather some tuliza for Kion. No sooner had she gone when a Komodo dragon named Ora attacked with the help of his minions. Out of desperation, Kion used the Roar of the Elders to blow his foes away, but in doing so, he caused the water to recede from the island, then come back as a tidal wave.
The Lion Guard struggled to escape the tidal wave, which decimated the island and caused Makini to lose her tuliza. Just then, the team heard Lumba-Lumba crying for help from the beach. They found her stranded on the sand and vowed to help her. Kion admitted that he was not in the right head and so put Fuli in charge. She, in turn, commanded Anga, Makini, and Ono to find the next moja kwa moja stone while the rest of the team dug a tunnel from the sea to Lumba-Lumba.
While the Lion Guard worked to save Lumba-Lumba, a wave washed Ora and his friends back to shore. Not too far away, Anga, Makini, and Ono identified the next landmark: a tree on a cliff. Just then, they overheard the Komodo dragons attacking their friends and raced to the rescue. Together, the team fended off their attackers.
After the fight, Makini explained that they could not leave the island since Kion's Roar had destroyed the land bridge. Kion subsequently used his Roar to create a path through the waters. The resulting waves washed Lumba-Lumba back to sea, and she thanked the Lion Guard for having saved her. The Lion Guard then journeyed across Kion's path through the waves, with Ora and his minions in hot pursuit. However, once the team reached the shore, Kion stopped roaring, and the waves crashed in on the Komodo dragons.
While the Lion Guard journeyed toward the next moja kwa moja stone, Makucha recruited Ora to join him on his quest to get revenge on the Lion Guard.
=====Crossing the desert=====
The Lion Guard found a moja kwa moja stone at a dry riverbed. Bunga questioned why the stone showed a river, and Ono explained that landscapes could change with the seasons. Makini recalled having visited the river before with her parents, Fikiri and Kitendo, when they had journeyed to the Tree of Life to present her to Rafiki. While reminiscing, Makini remembered a waterfall that she had visited with her parents. She implored the Lion Guard to take a brief detour to visit it, and Kion agreed. However, when the team arrived, they found that the waterfall had dried up. Anga spotted the next moja kwa moja stone, and the Lion Guard continued on its way.
Along the way, Makini excitedly pointed out a rock that had a hole in it. However, once she ventured closer, she realized that she must have made a mistake, for the rock had no hole. Bunga gave the rock a frustrated kick, and the Lion Guard moved on, missing when the rock cracked and revealed its hole. Shortly afterward, Makini tried to point out a mountain that looked like a monkey's face, but the Lion Guard could not see it. It was only after they walked away that the sun revealed a face in the mountain.
Eventually, the Lion Guard reached the next moja kwa moja stone, which was located at a dry pool. Ono explained that the next landmark was a patch of four flowers in the shape of a diamond. Makini admitted that she did not remember any flowers and started to tell a story about another subject, but the team interrupted her in annoyance.
Anga reported that she could not find any white flowers, only a desert. Makini exclaimed that she had had to cross the desert in order to reach a series of cliffs on her trip to the Tree of Life. The team was doubtful of her memory, but with little else to go on, they let her take the lead.
The Lion Guard crossed the desert, enduring extreme heat and sandstorms. In the middle of their journey, they encountered a booming sand dune, or a sand dune that made a hollow, echoing noise when bounced on. Makini started to play on it but accidentally got sand in Kion's eye, which severely irritated him. When Kion seemed to calm down, Bunga took a turn playing on the dune, but the disturbance awakened a jerboa named Tupp, who yelled at the team for having interrupted his sleep. Short-tempered, Kion growled at Tupp, scaring him off.
After Tupp's departure, Kion decided to head back the way they had come. However, another sandstorm struck, erasing the team's footprints and shifting the landscape so that they did not recognize where they were. Ono suggested that they build a shelter for the day and wait until nighttime to continue their journey.
That night, Tupp appeared and led the Lion Guard to a plant with water on its leaves. They drank, and Anga questioned how Tupp had found the plant. Tupp explained that desert creatures used the sky to navigate their surroundings, and the team realized that the four white "flowers" were really stars. They then followed the stars to a series of cliffs, confirming that Makini's memories had been right all along.
=====Detour at Flamingo Beach=====
The Lion Guard struggled to cross the desert. Bunga started showing off by pretending to be thirsty, which disgusted Fuli. He tried to show off to Kion as well, but Kion simply snapped at Bunga in anger. Fuli rushed to calm Kion down, pointing out that Bunga was fooling around, and Beshte added that Bunga was just being Bunga. Kion apologized to Bunga, who immediately forgave him and admitted that he was good at being annoying.
Just then, Anga spotted a patch of tuliza past a nearby sea. The team arrived at the sea, only to find that the water was extremely salty. Makini suggested that Kion relax in the water, and he relented. Once in the water, he calmed down and began to float on his back, and Beshte and Bunga joined him in the water. In the meantime, Fuli left on her own to collect the tuliza. After she had departed, a flock of flamingos landed, causing a disturbance, and the Lion Guard struggled to keep Kion calm.
Eventually, the friends lost track of Kion, who got prodded by the flamingos. He awakened, irritated, and nearly used the Roar of the Elders. Just then, Fuli approached with the tuliza and gave him a dose. Immediately, Kion calmed, and the team continued on its way.
=====Recovering Makini's staff=====
On their way to the Tree of Life, the Lion Guard journeyed through a forest. Along the way, Beshte befriended a tapir named Tenuk. Though at first friendly, Tenuk panicked at the mention of tuliza and fled into the underbrush. Other animals reacted similarly, which confused the Lion Guard. Unbeknownst to the team, they were being watched by a porcupine, who reported the incidents to a binturong named Mama Binturong. Upon hearing her minion's report, Mama Binturong declared that every tuliza flower belonged to her and that she would never let another animal have any.
Meanwhile, Bunga pulled a prank on a civet named Tompok by yelling, "Tuliza!" unexpectedly. Tompok panicked and fell into a nearby river, but Anga rescued him from drowning. The Lion Guard attempted to question him on why the forest animals were afraid to mention tuliza, but he simply fled in fear once more.
After the incident, Mama Binturong approached and watched the Lion Guard from afar. She witnessed Makini fetching tuliza from her bakora staff and ordered her porcupine minions to steal the staff. The Lion Guard eventually noticed the theft, but only after Mama Binturong had taken the staff and retreated to her hideout.
The team questioned a gibbon named Seisou on where Makini's staff could be, but he panicked when they mentioned tuliza. However, after being cornered by Anga and Bunga, he advised them to talk to a mongoose. The mongoose, in turn, referred them to another animal, and he to another animal, and so on, until at last, the Lion Guard met up with Seisou in a cave. Seisou explained that he could not have talked to them earlier, lest Mama Binturong's spies catch on to his activities. He informed the team that Mama Binturong hoarded all the forest's tuliza in her hideout in the Stone Forest. The Lion Guard promptly took off to deal with the problem.
Once at the Stone Forest, the Lion Guard struggled to fit between the pillars, with only Bunga succeeding in squeezing through. As a result, he continued on alone, eventually reaching Mama Binturong's hideout, where he was set upon by Mama Binturong's porcupine minions. After a brief struggle, Bunga emerged victorious and took on Mama Binturong herself. After releasing stink and ruining her tuliza stash, he grabbed Makini's staff and escaped. As Bunga fled the scene, Mama Binturong vowed revenge. Bunga then returned to the Lion Guard and gave Makini her staff back, after which the team moved on to find the next moja kwa moja stone.
=====Kion's breakdown=====
While en route to the Tree of Life, Kion pushed the Lion Guard to travel as fast as they could. Eventually, the team stopped for a break at a watering hole, but Kion cut the break short, insisting that they must keep moving. Fuli asked Makini to give Kion some tuliza, but the herb did not soothe his bad temper. As the Lion Guard started their journey again, Fuli worried about the tuliza's dwindling effects. Bunga suggested that the venom in Kion's scar was turning him evil, but Fuli adamantly insisted that Kion was not evil.
The team eventually reached a canyon, where they spotted several goslings jumping off a cliff. Beshte insisted on saving them, to Kion's annoyance. However, the mother goose soon arrived and lectured the team for having ruined her goslings' attempts to leave their nests. After the incident, Kion chastised Beshte and declared that they would no longer be helping animals who did not need their help. Bunga blamed the scar for Kion's personality change, but Beshte defended Kion, asserting that he simply wanted to reach their destination.
Shortly afterward, the Lion Guard found their way blocked by a procession of peacocks. Impatient, Kion bulled his way through and even purposefully knocked over one of the peacocks. The Lion Guard watched in shock, and Bunga repeated his theory that Kion was taking a turn for the worst. Fuli rebuked Bunga again, and the team continued on its way.
After leaving the canyon, Beshte befriended a clouded leopard named Yun Mibu, who was skilled at hanging from his feet. Bunga attempted to mimic Yun Mibu's pose but failed and fell to the ground. Kion was irritated by the delay and growled at Yun Mibu until he fled. He then turned his ire on Beshte, which prompted Fuli to challenge him. The two nearly got into a fight until Bunga broke it up and reminded Kion that Rafiki had warned them about the venom's effects. This horrified Kion, who ran off into the forest. With Kion gone, Fuli lectured Bunga for believing that Kion was evil. The rest of the Lion Guard likewise voiced their confidence in Kion's character.
Meanwhile, Kion set off on his own and fell off a cliff, only barely managing to catch on to an overhanging branch. Fuli began to worry about Kion's long absence and sent Anga to check on him. She spotted him hanging perilously from the branch and was unable to save him herself, so she fetched the rest of the Lion Guard. Once at the scene of the incident, they tried and failed to think of a solution. Bunga hung down to save Kion and assured him that they would always be friends, even if Kion turned evil. Eventually, Beshte got the idea to summon Yun Mibu for help.
At first, Yun Mibu was afraid to help Kion due to their earlier encounter, but with some encouragement, he agreed to the task. Kion apologized for his rude behavior and promised to never growl at a clouded leopard again. Yun Mibu then hung by his feet over the cliff and, with some help from Anga, pulled Kion to safety. Once on solid ground, Kion apologized for having been so mean to his teammates. They forgave him, and Makini gave him some tuliza for good measure. Kion suggested that they head out again, but Fuli ordered him to get some rest first. He relented, and the team settled down for a break.
=====Arrival at the Tree of Life=====
The Lion Guard reached a frozen lake and attempted to cross it. However, the ice began to crack beneath their weight, and they scrambled to reach solid ground. Makini barely escaped, losing her bakora staff in the process. Since the Lion Guard no longer had Makini's staff to activate the moja kwa moja stone, they relied on Ono's memory of Rafiki's map to find their way. Ono stated that the next stop on their journey was a pass through the mountains, and Anga used her keen vision to lead the team to the right location. Unbeknownst to the Lion Guard, Ullu the owl had been spying on their activities and left to inform the Night Pride.
The Lion Guard entered the pass, but Bunga accidentally started a rockslide by climbing the walls to reach a beehive. The rocks trapped Bunga and blocked the pass, which frustrated Kion. Shortly afterward, the Night Pride arrived, and Baliyo attacked the Lion Guard. A fight ensued, during which Kion lost control and used the Roar of the Elders on Baliyo. The leader of the Night Pride, Rani, subsequently condemned Kion and forbid the Lion Guard entry to the Tree of Life.
As Kion's team worked to free Bunga from the fallen rocks, Kion lamented his bad choices and resolved to rely on his friends instead of himself from then on. He returned to his team and admitted that it was his fault that they could not enter the Tree of Life. Beshte suggested explaining their situation to Rani, and Kion agreed, as he wanted Ono to receive healing for his sight.
Just then, Rani returned to the Lion Guard, only to find that they had cleared the pass. Kion apologized to her and implored her to accept Ono for healing. Impressed by his selflessness, Rani allowed him to come to the Tree of Life. The Lion Guard followed the Night Pride through the pass until they beheld the Tree of Life for the first time.
====Stay at the Tree of Life====
=====First skirmish with Makucha's army=====
The Lion Guard arrived at the Tree of Life, where they met its matriarch, Queen Janna. Kion explained that he and his friend, Ono, had come for healing, and Janna ordered Rani to give the Lion Guard a tour of the kingdom while Kion began his healing journey with Nirmala. Rani proceeded to give the Lion Guard a tour of the territory, which included a variety of habitats. Unbeknownst to Rani, Makucha and his allies, Chuluun and Ora, were sneaking into the Tree of Life's territory. Makucha attempted to take charge of the group, but Chuluun and Ora rebelled against him, as each wanted to formulate the plan themselves. Ullu overheard the invaders' activities and left to inform Rani.
Before long, the Night Pride arrived at the mountain pass and took on Makucha and his allies, defeating them easily, as they did not work well together. At the same time, the rest of the Lion Guard reconvened with Kion and related how Rani had been called away to face down a threat to the Tree of Life. Kion fretted that the Night Pride could be in danger, and the Lion Guard headed off to help defeat the unknown foe. Upon arriving at the scene of the fight, the Lion Guard discovered that the Night Pride had already defeated Makucha and his allies. Baliyo mentioned Makucha by name, and Kion apologetically admitted that Makucha and his allies had followed the Lion Guard to the Tree of Life. This infuriated Rani.
After the battle, the Lion Guard and the Night Pride went to the Tree of Life, and Rani accused Kion of having let in an army of predators. Kion apologized to Janna and offered his services in defeating Makucha's army. However, Janna advised Kion to heal before he helped the Night Pride.
The next day, the Night Pride battled Makucha and his allies, but Baliyo got bitten by Ora, which paralyzed him. Just in time, Kion and the rest of the Lion Guard arrived to help fight Makucha's army. While Ora fled out of fear of Kion's Roar, Bunga used his stink to chase off Makucha and Chuluun.
=====Mama Binturong's plot=====
While the Lion Guard, Baliyo, and Rani relaxed at a water hole, Bunga ate grubs loudly, to Fuli's annoyance. Baliyo commented that Bunga was rather quiet for a honey badger and revealed that he was friends with another honey badger named Binga. Bunga expressed interest in meeting Binga, and Baliyo agreed to introduce them. Upon meeting each other, Bunga and Binga swiftly befriended each other and engaged in a grub-eating contest, which Binga won. Bunga then promised to think up another competition for them to try.
Meanwhile, Mama Binturong plotted to invade the Tree of Life by pretending to seek sanctuary from Makucha and his army. She added that she would have to avoid Bunga, as he was the only member of the Lion Guard who might recognize her. The army enacted the plan, and the Night Pride fell for it, accepting Mama Binturong for healing at the Tree of Life.
As the Lion Guard headed for the Tree of Life to check on Ono's healing, Bunga suddenly got inspired to challenge Binga to a stink contest. While Bunga headed off to find his new friend, the rest of the team continued on its way. Together, the Lion Guard and Mama Binturong entered the Tree of Life, where Janna accepted Mama Binturong for healing. Mama Binturong asked for a tour of the territory, but Janna explained that the Night Pride rested during the daytime. Rani then showed Mama Binturong to a grove of trees, which smelled strongly of honey badger. Not far away, Binga beat Bunga in a stink competition. The two continued to challenge each other to various dares, with Binga winning each one.
Back at the Tree of Life, Janna channeled the Tree of Life's powers to heal Ono's eyesight. Ono was delighted, but Janna warned him that his vision would never be as good as it once was. Outside, Ono saw that Janna was right, as he could no longer see in such detail. As a result, Anga used her vision instead to locate Bunga, who was still with Binga. The team met up with Bunga and Binga, and Beshte explained that Kion was still healing with Nirmala. Unbeknownst to the team, Mama Binturong had spied on their conversation and come up with a plan to defeat the Lion Guard and the Night Pride.
Mama Binturong returned to her allies and instructed them to kill Janna while she distracted the Night Pride. The plan went into motion, with the Night Pride falling for Mama Binturong's cries for help. In the meantime, Makucha, Chuluun, and Ora snuck over the border. Ullu informed the Lion Guard of Mama Binturong's peril, and they resolved to help her. However, Ono realized that Mama Binturong had called Chuluun by name in her cries for help, which indicated that they were working together. The Lion Guard headed to the Tree of Life instead and headed off Makucha, Chuluun, and Ora.
Meanwhile, Mama Binturong attacked Bunga and Binga. The Night Pride arrived, and Mama Binturong attempted to blame the honey badgers for the fight. However, Ullu arrived and informed the Night Pride of Mama Binturong's deception. Bunga and Binga then used their stench to defeat Mama Binturong.
=====Poa the Destroyer=====
One day, Bunga murmured Binga's name in his sleep, to the amusement of his friends. Before long, he awakened and left to see her. As he departed, Fuli asked him to tell Binga hi for her, and he bashfully agreed.
Later, when Beshte inadvertently earned a destructive reputation as "Poa the Destroyer," Rani congregated with the Lion Guard at the Tree of Life. There, she explained that Beshte had been frightening the animals due to his accidents. A saddened Beshte subsequently exiled himself from the Tree of Life, as he believed himself to be a true destroyer. However, the Lion Guard decided to host a meeting at the Tree of Life where Beshte could earn the animals' trust back. Bunga and Baliyo started leading the animals toward the Tree of Life, but Bunga let slip that Beshte would be there. Fearful of Beshte, Pinguino refused to go and headed home, but, on the way, Beshte intercepted him and rescued him from falling off a cliff.
At the Tree of Life, Kion and Rani explained to the gathered animals that Beshte was friendly, not destructive. Just then, Beshte approached with Pinguino on his back. Pinguino then declared to his fellows that Beshte had saved his life, which effectively cleared Beshte's name. Reassured, the animals started up a chant of "Poa."
=====Rani's coronation=====
At the mountain pass, Mama Binturong and her army attacked a tiger named Varya and her cubs, who were seeking sanctuary at the Tree of Life. Just in time, the Lion Guard and the Night Pride arrived and defended the tigers from harm, with Beshte and Bunga saving Varya's cubs.
After the skirmish, Ullu approached and warned Rani that Janna wanted to see her, Kion, and the rest of the Night Pride immediately. While the Lion Guard stayed behind to tend to Varya and her cubs, the Night Pride and Kion followed Ullu to the Tree of Life.
Later, the Lion Guard attended Janna's funeral at the Willows. After the funeral, Bunga helped Varya find her cubs and led the tiger family to the Tree of Life. Once there, Varya asked Rani for sanctuary, and Rani accepted. With the cubs clinging to Bunga, Rani led the tigers to the tundra section of the Tree of Life and convinced a musk deer named Kiril to share the territory with them, despite his initial hesitancy.
At sunset, Bunga attended Rani's coronation at the Tree of Life.
=====Working with the Night Pride=====
One day, Makucha and his army launched an attack on the Tree of Life. The Night Pride challenged them, but Baliyo's yawning exposed how exhausted they were from a night of patrolling. Just in time, the Lion Guard arrived to help, but Kion and Rani's dual leadership resulted in confusion.
Eventually, the Lion Guard and the Night Pride succeeded in driving off the army, but Rani criticized Kion for having not followed her lead. Kion offered 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 accepted his offer. Unbeknownst to the team, Mama Binturong had been spying on their conversation from a nearby tree. She then schemed with her allies against the Lion Guard and the Night Pride to attack in-between patrol shifts at sunset.
Meanwhile, the Lion Guard patrolled the Tree of Life and came across a dispute between Heng Heng the panda and Kely the gentle lemur over a bamboo stand. The team decided to bring the two before Rani, who would decide who had claim to the bamboo stand. The Lion Guard led Heng Heng and Kely to Pratibimba, and Rani swiftly resolved the dispute.
As Kion returned to his reflections, Rani told Fuli that he may be unable to heal any more. She then related what Kion had said about his inability to lead the Lion Guard without the Roar. The Lion Guard returned to Kion, and Anga related the time that a much younger Lion Guard had rescued Ono's egg from Janja's clan. After the story, Kion felt inspired and revitalized, as he realized that he did not need the Roar to lead his team.
After the story, Ullu arrived and warned the Lion Guard that Makucha's army was launching another attack. The Night Pride arrived on the scene as well, and Kion led the two teams in a combined attack. During the fight, Bunga used his stench to defeat Ora. Eventually, the teams succeeded, and Rani complimented Kion on his good leadership skills.
=====Battle for the Tree of Life=====
One day, Makucha and his army snuck into the Tree of Life due to Ullu having fallen asleep. The Night Pride arrived, only for the Lion Guard to take over the shift and defeat the army. After the fight, Bunga complimented Kion's leadership skills, and Nirmala agreed, adding that Kion's healing was complete. Rani worried that this would prompt him to return to the Pride Lands, but he assured her that he and the Lion Guard would help defend the Tree of Life from Makucha's army first. He then left to speak with Askari, leaving Fuli in charge of the Lion Guard.
With Fuli in the lead, the Lion Guard freed a camel who was stuck in the sand. Bunga worried that Kion could be in trouble and left to ask Rani for answers. Meanwhile, Mama Binturong brought in new allies for Makucha's army, including Fahari, Jiona, two Komodo dragons, and Smun and his prickle. At the Tree of Life, Bunga questioned Rani on why Kion was not ready to use the Roar. Makini explained that Kion might be practicing his Roar at Cikha Escarpment, as Askari used to do so long ago, and Bunga and Rani decided to visit him there.
In the meantime, Makucha's army invaded the Tree of Life. Ullu warned the Night Pride about the army's attack, and they rushed to the Tree of Life, only to get shut inside by a giant rock pushed by Ora and his minions. With the Night Pride out of commission, the army attacked the animals at the Tree of Life.
Back at Cikha Escarpment, Bunga and Rani witnessed Kion practicing his Roar, to their shock and amazement. Anga soon arrived with news that the Tree of Life was under attack. Together, Kion, Bunga, and Rani raced to the scene, and Kion used the Roar to defeat Makucha's army. He then struck the rock at the Tree of Life's entrance with lightning, destroying it and freeing the Night Pride. Finally, he swept Makucha and his army into a tornado and sent them far away from the Tree of Life. Nirmala declared that Kion was truly healed, and Rani thanked him for having saved the Tree of Life. She then told him that he should stay at the Tree of Life permanently.
====Journey back to the Pride Lands====
The Lion Guard approached Kion and declared that they were ready to return home. However, Bunga commented that he had enjoyed his friendship with Binga. Just then, Ullu approached, heralding the arrival of Azaad, Janja, and Jasiri. Bunga tackled Janja but backed off once he remembered that Janja had reformed. Jasiri then informed Kion that Zira was invading the Pride Lands and that the royal family needed the Lion Guard's help. Out of a sense of duty to the Pride lands, the Lion Guard resolved to return home and defeat the Outsiders.
Azaad led the team to the fastest route home: a narrow canyon pass. Beshte was too wide to squeeze through, so Kion used the Roar of the Elders to widen the pass. Next, the team came to a canyon that was too wide to jump across, and Kion used the Roar to funnel his teammates to the other side. Finally, Kion created a rainstorm that filled a dry riverbed, which allowed the team to hitch a ride on a floating log.
The Lion Guard continued their journey, passing familiar landmarks, such as the marsh, the mountain, and more. Eventually, they reached the Great Stone Wall. Kion used the Roar to break apart the rock, not knowing that the wall functioned as a dam, and accidentally opened a fissure that began to spurt water. Kion continued to Roar in order to hold the water back while the Lion Guard rescued nearby animals.
Suddenly, Ono got the idea to throw rocks into the path of Kion's Roar in order to cover the damaged section of the wall. The team worked together, heaving rocks into the Roar, until there were enough to cover the hole in the wall. Kion subsequently stopped Roaring, and the rocks fell, effectively blocking the flood. Kion complimented his friends on their teamwork, and Azaad led the Lion Guard around the stone wall. They eventually arrived in the Outlands, where they caught a glimpse of Pride Rock in the distance. Together, the Lion Guard and their allies entered the Pride Lands, determined to save the kingdom.
====Battle of the Lion Guards====
The Lion Guard entered the Outlands and ran into Madoa, who explained that Zira's invasion of the Pride Lands had already begun. Mzingo soon arrived and agreed to help, per Jasiri's request. Just then, Anga spotted Kovu standing on Pride Rock. No sooner had this happened when Vitani appeared with a pride of lionesses and launched into battle against the Lion Guard. Bunga took on Shabaha but was swiftly defeated. Kion nearly used the Roar of the Elders to finish off Vitani and her pride when Kiara appeared with Kovu and explained that the Outsiders had joined Simba's pride. Though confused, Kion halted his attack.
At Pride Rock, Rafiki told the Lion Guard that Zira's pride had changed allegiance due to Kiara and Kovu's intervention and that Zira had been destroyed by her hatred. After the story, Timon and Pumbaa had a delighted reunion with Bunga. Afterward, the three returned to Hakuna Matata Falls and ate Utamu grubs.
The next morning, the Lion Guard entered the Lair of the Lion Guard, only to find that Vitani and her pride were already within. Vitani argued that she should lead the Lion Guard, as she was the sister of the future king, but Kion argued that, as the future queen's brother, it was his duty to lead the Lion Guard. Just then, Laini approached, begging for help, and both Lion Guards rushed off to assist her.
The teams followed Laini to where Thurston was stuck in a hole. The two Lion Guards argued over who should rescue Thurston, while Azaad approached Thurston and told him to back out of the hole. Thurston did so, and Kion commented that they must sort out their problems in order to avoid quarreling. Thurston suggested a competition to determine which team was better, and both Lion Guards agreed to the challenge.
Later, Rafiki announced the Battle of the Lion Guards to a crowd of Pride Landers at Mizimu Grove. He explained that there would be five competitions to determine who was the fiercest, strongest, fastest, keenest of sight, and bravest in the Pride Lands. While Beshte lost his competition against Imara, Fuli beat Kasi in their competition. Next, Anga lost her competition to Tazama. Finally, Bunga challenged Shabaha to beat him in an obstacle course and be the first to reach a baobab fruit that was hanging from a tree. Bunga managed to win, as Shabaha hesitated at the daunting challenges.
Since the two teams were tied, Ono announced that the win would be determined by Kion and Vitani's challenge. Vitani called for a mashindano, which appalled Kion. He warned her that she did not stand a chance against the Roar, but she asserted that she could be the fiercest in the Pride Lands without the Roar. This made Kion recall Askari's statement that only one who could let go of the Roar could truly master it. Realizing that Vitani was the true leader of the Lion Guard, Kion relinquished his team's duties to her and her pride. Vitani was then able to use the Roar of the Elders.
Just then, Askari appeared in the clouds overhead and praised Kion for his decision. Though Askari asserted that Kion had truly mastered the Roar, Kion countered that he was no longer the leader of the Lion Guard. To this, Askari reminded him that the Tree of Life needed the Roar's protection as well. The rest of Kion's Lion Guard agreed to protect the Tree of Life alongside Kion, and instantly, marks of the Night Pride appeared on their shoulders. Vitani questioned Kion on what it meant to master the Roar, and Kion demonstrated by picking up Pride Rock with the power of the Roar. This amazed his spectators.
====Kion's coronation====
Bunga attended Kion's coronation at the Tree of Life. During the ceremony, Bunga boasted to Binga that his friend was a king.
==Physical appearance==
As an infant, Bunga was short and small, only coming up to Timon's shoulders. He had short blue-gray fur, with a white mane that ran from his forehead to the tip of his tail, as well as white hair on the backs of his arms. He also had three dark blue-gray dimples on either cheek and a dark blue-gray chest. While his nose was red, his inner ears were pink, and his claws and eyebrows were black. He also had buckteeth.
Upon reaching cubhood, Bunga retained his coloring but grew bigger and taller in size. Additionally, his claws and fur grew longer, particularly his mane, and his eyebrows became bushier. He also lost his buckteeth. Bunga continued to grow bigger, taller, and longer-furred as he aged into adolescence.
==Personality and traits==
Unlike his rule-following best friend, Kion, Bunga is a free spirit, with an adventurous streak and an affinity for trouble. High-spirited and tenacious, he enjoys goofing off and does not let anything deter him, even danger or high stakes. Bunga is known for being exceptionally daring and brave, being willing to take on hyenas and venture into the Outlands, and does not flinch at danger. Though he prides himself on being the bravest animal in the Pride Lands, he is sometimes dismissed as simply being "stupid."
Because of his penchant for mischief, Bunga often finds himself in danger and needs to be rescued by his teammates. He will jump headfirst into any situation, even those he is not equipped to handle, such as when he tried to save a drowning Kion, only to start drowning himself. He can also be somewhat melodramatic and pretentious, and will exaggerate or feign injury to get attention. In general, Bunga loves to bask in the attention of others, to the point that he will accept praise, adoration, and servitude from others. Even so, he is willing to accept when he is wrong and trusts Kion to make the hard decisions.
Bunga is not particularly respectful of authority, a trait that grates particularly on Simba. He tends to forge his own path and will ignore the advice of his friends, to his own detriment. Despite this, he is quite good with children, being an exceptionally attentive and instructive babysitter, and has a special bond with the young zebra Hamu. Bunga is protective and loyal, both to his friends and his fellow Pride Landers, and will fight tooth and nail to protect his homeland, the Pride Lands. Eventually, this loyalty extended to the Tree of Life and the Night Pride, with whom Bunga allied and later joined as an official member. Bunga is quite trusting of others, even strangers and outsiders, which sometimes leads to betrayal and chaos.
Like his adoptive uncles, Bunga loves to eat grubs. Being a honey badger, he is known for being particularly grotesque and stinky. This trait ended up being a source of bonding between him and Binga, a fellow honey badger.
==Appearances==
==Trivia==
* Bunga was voiced by Joshua Rush.
* Bunga's name means "fool, simpleton" or "foolish, silly" in Swahili.
* Bunga's catchphrase, "Zuka zama!" means "Pop up, dive in!" in Swahili.
* Bunga has a habit of saying, "un-Bunga-lievable," (a play on the word "unbelievable") whenever he is amazed.
* Bunga's name was given to him by Pumbaa, who called him "Bunga" after watching him bravely climb a tree in pursuit of grubs.
* Bunga's fearless, reckless, and hot-headed nature is grounded in reality, as real honey badgers are aggressive and fearless.
* In "The Golden Zebra", Bunga develops a crush on Dhahabu. It is unclear if he retains these feelings, as he develops romantic feelings for Binga in "Little Old Ginterbong".
==References==
Category:Animals of the Tree of Life
Category:Canon articles
Category:Characters
Category:Honey badgers
Category:The Lion Guard characters
Category:The Lion Guard members
Category:The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar characters
Category:Males
Category:Night Pride members
Category:Pride Landers