Wildfire Emergency

Wildfire Emergency is the second episode of Season 2 of Legends of the Lion Guard: Protectors of the Pride Lands, and the sixteenth episode overall.
== Synopsis ==
In their first true test of the dry season, the Lion Guard must combat fast-spreading wildfires in multiple areas.
== Transcript ==
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For many Pride Landers, it was just another ordinary, peaceful morning, with the herds grazing in their habitats, the birds flying up above, and the Lion Guard in the middle of a patrol in Rocky Plains, fulfilling their daily routine of patrolling the Pride Lands. Due to the intense heat, Anga and Ono had decided to fly above Beshte, instead of riding on his back, in an attempt to protect him from getting sunburned. Kion and Mhina were walking next to each other, their pelts brushing and tails curled together like the heads of lovesick flamingos.
“According to Zazu, Makuu and the crocs have begun their hibernation in a cave near their watering hole. Dad's also been getting reports from him and Pembetatu of animals collapsing because of the extreme heat, and there's been rumors of wildfires too. We really need to be on our guard today; everyone knows the dry season is a dangerous time, especially for young and vulnerable animals,” Kion stated.
“Have any watering holes gone dry yet?” Beshte asked.
“No, none have gone dry yet. We have to watch out for that as well. All of the Pride Landers will literally be at each other's throats when that happens.”
“It's a good thing there's so many water sources in the Pride Lands,” Fuli remarked ruefully.
During their conversation, Ono and Anga had flown closer to hear what they were saying, unintentionally leaving Beshte unguarded against the heat of the sun. Its rays scorched his back, causing him to let out a puff of exhausted breath.
“Phew! It sure is hot today, isn't it?” he commented, glancing up in the direction of the sky.
“You're right, Big B… it’s so dry I can taste sand in my mouth,” Bunga agreed, pawing at his maw to emphasize his point.
Ono opened his beak to concur with them, before he suddenly realized what Beshte was feeling. Staring at his back, he saw the flesh slowly turning pink and raw from sunburn and gasped in horror. His poor friend!
“Hapana! You're getting sunburned, Beshte!” he exclaimed.
Beshte’s eyes widened with shock. “Oh! That’s… that’s not good…”
The rest of the Guard stopped dead in their tracks, their eyes widening with concern.
“Hevi kabisa! We need to get Beshte somewhere with shade. Now!” Kion shouted.
Anga cast her vision ahead, scanning the terrain for trees.
“I can see the Mud Pots up ahead! Those should help Beshte stay cool,” she reported.
“Great. Lead the way, Anga!” Kion instructed.
“Anga lenga!”
The Lion Guard began to head towards the Mud Pots, Ono and Anga flying together above the others. Just then, a thunderous noise vibrated through the savannah, followed by a brilliant flash of lightning streaking across the sky and connecting with the terrain in the distance, going unnoticed by the Guard. The noise harshly reverberated through the Pride Lands, reaching the ears of Ono, who suddenly gasped at the realization. No, it couldn’t possibly be!
“Uhh…did anyone else hear that?” he asked nervously.
The rest of the Guard nodded, anxious expressions reflected on their faces.
“Was that thunder? But this is the dry season, not the wet season… it’s been too hot for thunderstorms,” Bunga quipped, crossing his arms with a quizzical expression on his face.
“It must be dry lightning! It's lightning that causes wildfires, but typically doesn't bring rain. Common knowledge, really!” Ono explained, panic filling his tone. He flapped his wings nervously.
Quickly, Kion glanced at Anga, who was still flying beside her adoptive brother.
“Anga! Report! Can you see if the dry lightning has inflicted any damage?” he asked.
“On it!” Anga said instantaneously, taking off higher into the sky and casting her vision ahead, her eyes glimmering purple.
The martial eagle saw smoke and bright flashes of yellows, purples, and reds scattered across the dried grass, licking away at the ground around them. Animals were trapped, bewildered and blindsided by the growing forks. This wasn’t just one strike of dry lightning - it was multiple strikes - and now animals were in grave danger.
“Ono's right! It's wildfires, Kion! They've struck habitats across the Pride Lands!”
“What habitats?” Kion inquired hurriedly.
“Chakula Plains, Mbali Fields, and Poromoko Crevasse! They're all ablaze and everyone is trapped from what I can see! There's a lot of smoke!” Anga relayed, her tone bogged down with alarm and rising horror that stabbed at her heart.
At the mention of Mbali Fields, a cold sense of dread and anguish swept over Fuli, and she felt her paws start shaking uncontrollably beneath her. Her breathing became heavy, labored, and her tail swished from side to side.
“Guys! Mbali Fields is where my family is! I can't lose them!” she exclaimed.
“Don't worry, Fuli. We'll-“ 
“Huwezi!” Before Kion could finish his reassurance, Fuli bolted off, haring off in the direction of her coalition and only leaving behind clouds of dust in her wake. There was nothing Kion could do to stop the fastest in the Pride Lands, and composing himself, he faced the rest of the Guard.
“Okay, guys. This is what we've been preparing for. It's only the first of the many dry season dangers we’ll have to face. I know we can beat this. We're the Lion Guard! It's our duty to protect this land and all that live in it. We've triumphed before with much bigger stakes at paw, and we will triumph now. The Pride Lands will never be lost as long as we are here! So, let's go!”
“Kion is right! If we stand united, we will win this fight, just like we did before, together! Until the Pride Lands’ end!” Mhina echoed, the leopon’s paws firmly planted on the ground in stoic determination.
“Lion Guard defend!” the others chorused.
Kion surveyed his Guard, gathered around him, and began giving orders as fast as he could roll them off his tongue.
“Ono, you and Anga head to Poromoko Crevasse, quickly! Do what you can there to stop the fires.” 
“Affirmative!” the adopted siblings accepted in unison, immediately flying off in the direction of the flaming crevasse.
“Beshte, Fuli will need backup in Mbali Fields! More animals live there besides her family, and the more she receives help, the better. She’s counting on you!”
“Twende kiboko!” Beshte called, trotting towards Mbali Fields with utter seriousness, breaking up the usually-peaceful demeanor of the hippo.
As Beshte trotted off, Kion turned his attention to Mhina and Bunga, awaiting whatever call he had to give them. Bunga rubbed his paws together, never not in anticipation of heroic deeds.
“We’re going to Chakula Plains. Jasiri's probably overwhelmed trying to deal with this alone.”
“Let’s go put out some fires! Zuka zama!” Bunga excitedly exclaimed.
“Tupigane!” Mhina shouted after him, and at once, the trio rushed off to Chakula Plains.
Upon their arrival in the grassy plains, they were met by a scene of total pandemonium; fire had completely engulfed the trees, grasslands, and bushes, ravaging the once vibrant terrain. Smoke billowed in the air like a wall of impenetrable mist, one that could asphyxiate, and all around them, the sounds of panicking animals and stampeding hooves could be heard, thundering throughout the charred grasses and ricocheting off the distant cliffsides.
Jasiri frantically hurried up to them, skidding to a halt beside Kion and panting.
“Thank goodness you're here! I've been doing my best to keep everyone calm and together, but Thurston’s lost his corncockles since the fire started, and thanks to him, everyone’s panicking and fearing they’re going to die! I need your help!” she explained breathlessly, casting her head down, paws twitching out of fear of everything that was happening.
“Easy, Jasiri. Deep breaths. We’re going to extinguish the fires and rescue everyone as soon as we can!” Kion assured, reaching out a paw to rub on his friend’s shoulder, and the hyena relaxed just a little.
Kion then raised his voice, attempting to be heard over the ensuing chaos and be the source of reason the panicking animals needed.
“Everyone! The Lion Guard is here now! You can calm down!” 
Unfortunately, the noise generated by the stampeding and shouting, as well as the mortifying crackle of the fires and the shock kicking in caused his words to go unheard by every animal.
Ever the optimist, Bunga snorted, “Well, I’ll be darned.” Mhina shook his head. Now what?
“It’s no use, Kion. Voices alone won’t stop the fires and soothe everyone. We need to get all the animals to stop flipping out and stay in one place. What can I do to help?” Jasiri asked.
“If your clan is able to, rally them and help any animal that’s been injured or trapped by the flames. Especially make sure the little ones are okay,” Kion directed, giving her a reassuring nod.
Jasiri nodded, rushing off to assemble the clan.
Mhina moved to stand beside Kion, the two of them exchanging a brief look.
“What do you want us to do?”
“Bunga, you and Mhina try to stop the stampede. It's not safe for everyone to be running if they can't see anything! They'll get hurt,” Kion ordered.
Without warning, Thurston galloped past, his expression frantic. Mhina jumped back, startled by the unintelligent zebra’s close brush to him and his friends.
“Panic and run! Panic and run! There's a fire!”
“Wait, Thurston! Slow down or you’ll crash into that-“ Kion was powerless to stop Thurston, grimacing as he galloped straight into an acacia tree. Dazed, Thurston looked around in sheer confusion.
“Is that the sunrise… good golly, it’s a wonderful morning- FIRE! Panic and run, panic and run!”
The zebra proceeded to return to his frantic galloping, and Bunga charged forward.
“Don’t worry, Kion! I got this! Zuuuukaaaa zamaaaaa!”
He bounded forward, leaping onto Thurston's back and pulling onto his ears, making the zebra rear up in confusion.
“Easy there, zebra-debra! The Lion Guard is here now, so why don’t ‘cha relax? We'll have this fire out in no time!”
“How can I calm down when there's a fire!? It'll destroy all the best grass in the grazing ground!” Thurston half-exclaimed and half-whined, straining to get the honey badger to stop pulling on his ears.
Bunga tugged harder, and having had enough of the pain, Thurston halted, sending Bunga somersaulting into the air. He collided into a soft, white-and-black chest, then fell to the ground, seeing stars and smoky clouds in his vision.
“Wuh…”
Shaking her head, Muhimu walked around the brave, yet dizzy honey badger. “Thurston! Will you cut it out, honey? Relax. The Guard won't let our home be lost. And besides, there are plenty of places where you can graze. Think with your head, not your stomach!” Muhimu snapped, worriedly checking over her mate to ensure no injuries.
With Bunga slowing down Thurston and the herd seemingly following his calmer lead, Mhina and Kion became alarmed as Nadif and his group of servals raced past, nearly colliding with the two teenagers. They rushed after them, reaching the frightened felines just as they neared another acacia tree.
“Slow down, Nadif! It's okay, you’re safe now. You and the servals don't have to run!” Kion said soothingly.
“Yeah. Everything's gonna be fine. You don’t wanna get too buggered,” Mhina added.
Nadif halted, swishing his tail, and his group slowed down.
“Are you sure?” he inquired, and Kion and Mhina nodded in assurance. The serval heaved a sigh of relief.
Kion and Mhina, surveying their surroundings once again, felt stones drop in their stomach as they took in the effects of the fire on the small family of servals; Nadif had a large burn mark across his flank, marring the orange and black fur, and Mapenzi was coughing loudly, her pelt ruffled with several burns present on the patches of fur. Kanu and Mahra, the youngest, both had burns across their faces, and their eyes were swollen and streaming with tears. They looked shaken and terrified, the poor servals…
“Are you okay to walk?” Mhina asked gently, crouching down to meet the younger ones.
“Yeah, kinda…” Kanu nodded, squinting to make out the leopon's form. Mahra nodded in turn.
Just then, Jasiri rushed over to them, the rest of Kubariki's Clan and Muhimu's Herd following behind her.
“Seems like you’ve got the zebras and servals in a less precarious balance. But the fire’s still raging! What else must we do, Kion?” she asked briskly, anxiously glancing at the intensifying flames.
“Can you and the other hyenas help with fire breaks?”
“Roger that!” Jasiri replied immediately.
Mdalasini stepped forward to stand beside her clanmate, her eyes worried, yet calmed with a softness of a mother, even if the hyena had no cubs of her own.
“I can take care of the little ones. They’ll be safe in my paws.”
“Thanks, Mdalasini. I appreciate your maturity,” Kion responded with gratitude.
Mapenzi guided Mahra and Kanu over to stand beside the compassionate hyena, and Hamu, one of the youngest zebras in Muhimu’s Herd, joined them, as did his brother, Kwato.
Muhimu stepped forward.
“My herd and I will help put out the fires,” she pledged, facing the assembled zebras, though Thurston’s mind appeared to be elsewhere.
“Mapenzi and I will help as well. Any threat that faces us is one we can stand against united!” Nadif added.
Kion smiled, pleased to see the teamwork among his fellow Pride Landers.
“Let’s get to work everyone! The Pride Lands depends on us!” he proclaimed. 
At his words, the gathered animals, Jasiri, and Bunga immediately fanned out. Bunga rallied the other young members of Muhimu's Herd that were still standing, and they began to dig trenches in the blackened grasslands, minding the smoke and holding their breath, not wanting to inhale the acrid fumes. Jasiri, Kion, and Mhina diligently worked on fire breaks, desperately digging in the scorched earth, while the others began kicking dirt onto the flames. However, the efforts did very little to contain the blaze and constant, billowing clouds of smoke.
Eventually, the ensuing smoke thickened in the air around them, tainting what was breathable, and the grip on the animals’ throats was like an iron paw. It wasn’t long before the environment started to retaliate against their bodies; the youngest zebras, Amana and Sukari, broke out into coughing fits, and the servals swayed on their paws, the smoke in the air slowly inducing vertigo on their exhaustion-wracked bodies. Jasiri, Kion, Bunga, and Mhina continued to work tirelessly, sweating at the ends of their necks from their work and stress, each conscious of the weight of the situation on their shoulders. 
Meanwhile, Ono and Anga were making furious strokes to combat the fire engulfing the reddish stone of Poromoko Crevasse. Though the terrain was deprived of inhabitants, the rocky slopes, cliffs, and lack of vegetation enabled the fire to spread quickly, leaping from stone to stone and aiming to conquer the crevasse, almost as if it had a mind of its own. The two birds frantically tossed clumps of sand and dirt on the flames whilst smoke billowed in thick plumes above. Relentlessly, the fire burned, roving over the cliffs. The wind gust picked up, carrying stray embers into their narrowed eyes and making them pause to shake the stinging sensations out.
The battle was an endless one, and with the fire continually being stoked by the dry season environment, it was no shock that Ono and Anga’s hope was beginning to fizzle out.
Anga glanced around frantically, observing how the orange and red fires were consuming all of Poromoko Crevasse. She could barely make out Ono, who was desperately dropping and throwing anything he could find onto the flames, his white feathers tinted a fiery shade of orange.
“This isn't going to work, Ono! We won't be able to fight the fires if we can’t even see what's in front of us! There's no way we can handle this alone!” she shouted, struggling to be heard above the roar of the flames.
Nodding in agreement, Ono squinted, and he felt overcome with dread - it wasn’t a fairly long time ago that he was in the caldera of the Outlands Volcano, losing his eyesight when saving Bunga from a very lava-y death. Now, he was close to something that always burned again, and he didn’t like the parallels, not one bit. Fighting the wind’s vigorous current, he managed to fly closer to his adoptive sister, seeking shelter underneath her wing. Anga wrapped her wing around him protectively, creating a veil that blocked the smoke from reaching him.
“We absolutely can’t do this alone! We need… we need to find another way!” he said, his words broken by rushed wheezes.
Anga pressed him closer to her, leaning her head against his affectionately. She gazed out over the far horizon with narrowed blue eyes.
“It's too dangerous for any of us. We’re going to need backup.”
“What about the fire? If we leave it, the Pride Lands will be destroyed!” Ono protested, his black eyes going wide as two moons.
“We don't have a choice! Ono, this has to be a sacrifice we make!” Anga retorted.
“Oh, alright, but I still feel apprehensive about all this… who should we ask for help?” Ono inquired.
Leaving his side, Anga flew higher into the sky, above the clouds and the smoke and sharply inhaling the cleaner air. Seeing perfectly clear, she focused her vision, scanning the Pride Lands for an ally to help them. Her eyes brightened, shining purple as she honed in on Kilio Valley. And there, relaxed among the willows, was Ma Tembo’s Herd. Salvation.
“I've got it! We can ask the elephants! Ma Tembo will surely want to help us!” she called, swiftly flying down to rejoin the egret. Together, the two of them flew off, haring towards Kilio Valley at the speed of sound. Upon their arrival, they noticed Ma Tembo standing beside a tree, and they immediately flew up to her.
The elephant turned to greet them, only to shift her feet with the observation that both avians were anxious, distress emitting off them and hitting her head-on.
“My goodness! Ono, Anga, what has happened? Are you all right?” Ma Tembo’s tone was concerned - my, what had happened to the Guard members? They looked deprived of color and frantic.
“Ma Tembo! Poromoko Crevasse is on fire! Everything is being destroyed as we speak! We need help! Animals will die and habitats will be lost if the fires spread any further!” Ono exclaimed, his voice nearly cracking from desperation.
The rest of the herd approached, worried and sharing glances with one another, and Zito, the mate of Ma Tembo, came to stand by her.
“Utter nonsense! It hasn't rained in days. Therefore, there's been no lightning to even cause a fire!”
“Oh Pride Lands forbid…” Anga muttered, rolling her eyes.
“It's caused by dry lightning! Which! Doesn’t! Bring! Rain!” Ono spat, flapping his wings at an alarming pace.
“So why are you asking us to help? Isn't it the responsibility of the Lion Guard to protect us? Unless this is Royal Family-related business or if someone is trying to wage war against all of Africa, then you can count us out of your false-fire mission!”  Zito countered with a dismissive snort, preparing to turn away. A tail landed acutely on the side of his haunch.
“Shush! Zito, now is not the time for bickering. As long as we're Pride Landers, we will help others in need. A threat to the Pride Lands anywhere is a threat to Pride Landers everywhere. My father always believed that, and so do I,” Ma Tembo scolded.
Once again taking notice of how nerve-wracked and battered Ono and Anga were, the wise elephant softened with overwhelming sympathy.
“The Lion Guard will have the assistance of my elephants and myself. It's an honor to aid the force that keeps us safe,” she said warmly.
Zito opened his mouth to protest before being firmly silenced by his mate's tail lashing against his side for a second time. He winced.
“That’s an order, dear. You can either come with us and help, or you can stay here alone until sunset. I, for one, will not let any part of the Pride Lands be lost.”
Ono and Anga exchanged a brief look of relief, taking off into the sky together.
“Follow us! Now!” Ono called down.
Ma Tembo and her herd began to head towards Poromoko Crevasse. Zito, sighing, reluctantly followed.
Upon their arrival, they were horrified to discover that the fire had intensified during their absence; it had swallowed the entire crevasse and had jumped to the grasses at the edge of the hot, red stone, and it was spreading at a rage-bent pace towards other areas of the Pride Lands.
“Hapana! The fire’s a full-blown inferno!” Ono shrieked.
Ma Tembo turned quickly to the assembled members of her herd.
“Everyone! Get moving! There's absolutely no time to waste!” she ordered promptly, stamping her foot.
At once, the elephants sucked up dirt and sand from the ground with their trunks and began spraying it onto the flames. The other elephants, storing water in their long trunks, aimed them at the blazing tongues that licked the terrain, hungry for fuel, and released. The water crashed into the flames with a hiss, and the once-enormous wildfire diminished. Anga and Ono grasped clumps of dirt and sand in their talons, flinging it onto the flames.
“That’s it! Keep going, everyone! We’re almost there!” Ma Tembo yelled encouragingly. 
She doused water on the flames, watching as they diminished and crackled with defeat. She then glanced over at Zito, who was standing to one side, watching the rest of the herd work to combat the flames.
“Zito! Either you start helping or allow the fire to destroy everything around you!” she bellowed, reasonable amounts of anger sneaking into her voice.
“Only for you, dear…” At her admonishment, Zito begrudgingly sucked sand up from the ground with his trunk and began to spray it onto the flames. 
Eventually, the fire ceased to blaze under the combined forces of the elephants, in addition to Ono and Anga. Smoke still plumed from the ground, and grass was blackened and charred - but it would grow back in due time. Poromoko Crevasse was saved.
“Excellent! Well done, all of you!” Ma Tembo exclaimed.
A round of celebratory trumpeting rang out from the elephants - an area of the Pride Lands saved from danger was a relief and a massive blessing.
“Thank you, elephants. We couldn't have done it without you,” Anga thanked with a shine in her eyes.
“We may have saved Poromoko Crevasse in the nick of time, but I'm afraid we're not out of the woods yet. There's wildfires in Chakula Plains and Mbali Fields as well. The rest of the Guard is fighting them - and they’ll need just as much help as we did!” Ono explained with a nod at Anga.
“They will be getting help, don't you worry about that. We'll take care of the fires,” Ma Tembo assured, silencing Zito with a sharp, sour look when the cantankerous elephant opened his mouth to protest.
“No more arguments today, Zito. The Pride Landers are our family. We will help them,” she said firmly.
Back at Chakula Plains, the wildfire had rapidly increased, consuming several of the trees and bushes scattered across the plains as well as blazing through the grasslands. The animals worked in teams around the plains, each focused on combating the ensuing inferno. Kion, Mhina, Bunga, and Jasiri were working side-by-side, digging trenches and fire breaks in the dirt, aided by Nadif and Mapenzi, who’s nimble paws made for deft gaps in the ground. 
Nearby, Kubariki dug trenches in the earth, as Mlinzi, Asante, and Madoa kicked dirt and sand onto the flames, straining with their efforts. Shinda and Shinuni were also digging breaks in the dirt, kicking up grit, small stones, and embedded roots. Mdalasini had ushered Hamu, Kwato, Amana, and Sukari, into the hyenas' den, wanting them to be as distant from the flames as possible.
However, all succumbed to smoke inhalation and were coughing loudly, with Hamu and Sukari passed out. Due to their injuries, Kanu and Mahra joined the group in the den and were resting, curled into orange, black, and white balls. The rest of the zebras were doing their part by digging trenches with their hooves and kicking dirt onto the embers. Even Thurston was concentrating now.
In the midst of the burning flames, Kion and Mhina worked indefatigably, clawing out trenches in the dry earth, clumps of dirt and roots gathering between their claws as they scraped against the ground. Smoke billowed around the two, closing in on them like the shadows of the night, and both wheezed. Mhina’s paws were aching for a break, and Kion’s eyes stung from the smoke. The dark teal looked faded, and the light inside them was growing dimmer and dimmer.
Mhina stopped digging, glancing around in horror and dismay at the scene before him. His mouth gaped open, just as if he was a fish out of water.
“K-Kion! This is just like the fire at Kilio Valley a while ago!“ Mhina panted, suddenly breaking into a coughing fit before continuing his speech. “We can’t do this alone. We need reinforcements as soon as we can!”
Kion paused, steadying himself and looking down at his paws, his every breath labored. The mention of Kilio Valley had made memories resurface - he didn’t want to remember them, especially not now…
“Right! This is getting too out of paw for us to handle. But we already have so much help, and it’s not enough! Yet, if we leave Chakula Plains to get help, the fire could overtake everything! I…I don’t know what we should do!”
“We-” As Mhina opened his mouth, a gust of smoke trickled in, and his windpipe burned, shutting in on him. Mhina stumbled, coughing profusely, so profusely that saliva flew out of his mouth and onto the stalks of grass at his paws. Kion gasped, stiffening with shock.
“Mhina! Mhina, breathe. Breathe!” He rushed over to the leopon in a split second, nuzzing him, pressing against his side, willing to lend him any support he needed. He risked letting the fire spread, but they had done what they could.
It still wouldn’t be enough. Mhina still coughed, a reminder of the dire straits they were in.
“Kion… can’t… can’t…”
“Easy, Mhina… easy…” Kion whispered, his nose pressed to his cheek, and liquid dabbed onto his face. Mhina was crying. No, that couldn’t be right.
He saw Mhina’s blue eyes, squinted shut and just as dimmed as his own. Mhina had stopped coughing, but he was now a deadweight slumped on Kion’s shoulders, his body warm, yet unmoving.
“Mhina…?” Kion prompted, his legs shaking feverishly with anxiety.
Then, Mhina fell with a thud on the grass, his heart beating, his body unmoving.
“MHINA!” Kion screamed, pushing his muzzle against his cheek, but the leopon didn’t stir. Kion could only feel his faint breathing. The lion’s heart rate spiraled into insanity, and everything around him blurred. The fire reflected in his teal eyes. His claws stung, felt wrenched out of his paws. Everything was spinning. The world was on fire.
Everything in his life was on fire.
“Mhina! Get up, please! Please get up! I…I can't do this alone! None of us can do this without you! I need you by my side. Don’t you die on me, not after everything we’ve been through! Lay everything onto me, give me something! Please don’t leave us… don’t leave me!” Kion wailed, coughing and breaking out into uncontrollable sobs. He felt just like a tiny cub, back when he had only just become leader of the Lion Guard, and became trapped in a shadow.
Would he lose everything he loved now? Would he lose the Lion Guard’s cleverest? The flame in the wet season flood? His hope?
The only action he could bring himself to remotely do was collapse into Mhina’s creamy fur and sob into it, his world continuing to spin and rush in a rapid river around him.
Suddenly, his ears perked up as the sounds of many thundering feet resounded through the plains. Kion glanced up, blinking his bleary eyes, which flickered with life. It was Ma Tembo's Herd! The elephants, in a mass frenzy, charged into the plains, followed closely by Ono and Anga. Kion glanced up, relieved by his fellow Guard members and allies’ arrival, and he tried to stagger to his paws.
“Ono! Anga! Ma Tembo! Help!” he shouted.
The adult elephants immediately spread out across the plains in a thick, closely-bound formation, spraying the flames with dust and water. Gradually, the flames hissed and were put out, leaving behind gray ash and burned-away patches of grassland and ground. The younger elephants rallied around Bunga, who instructed them to begin digging trenches in the earth and pointed at them, giving them directions and orders left and right.
Ma Tembo came over to where Kion and Mhina were huddled together, spraying the fire around them with water from her trunk. With a growl, the flames were gone.
“Don't worry. Everything will be alright,” she whispered soothingly.
With the combined efforts of the animals, the fire was soon extinguished. Chakula Plains was safe, but at a major cost: the damage was extensive. Trees were burned, many having lost their leaves and sticking out like sore claws. Blackened ground had consumed half of the plains, rendering the source of food for the herbivores unobtainable, and the cliffs had ash smeared on the sides. Smoke still lingered in the air, a harsh reminder of what had happened mere minutes before. The animals gathered around the Guard, astonished, horrified, and uncertain of what the future would bring.
Mlinzi stepped forward to address the crowd, limping slightly on a twisted foreleg.
“Everyone! I have good news and bad news to report. First, though most of it is scorched, there's still plenty of grass for everyone. It'll only be a matter of time before the grass that is burned will regrow. I do regret to report that my herb supply is almost all destroyed. There's just a few salvable leaves that I managed to save.” 
Kion pressed himself against Mhina's still-unconscious body, casting an anxious glance at Ma Tembo. 
“Ma… Ma Tembo, there's another fire…in Mbali Fields, that's where Fuli and Beshte are. They… they need help,” he stuttered, the figure of the tall elephant blurred in his vision.
“We'll put that fire out as well. You're not facing this alone anymore, Kion,” Ma Tembo consoled him, gently stroking his head with her trunk.
Muhimu, Nadif, and Kubariki stepped forward.
“We'll all help as well,” Muhimu declared.
Kion glanced at the gathered animals around him, gratitude reflected in his eyes, and he weakly smiled.
“Thank you, everyone. It's really appreciated.”
He attempted to stand up, only to grow dizzy. His head ached, split open from the raw effects of the fire and smoke, and with black spots overtaking his vision, Kion groaned and collapsed onto Mhina’s body.
“Oh, no! Kion!” Kubariki gasped.
“Is he dead??” Nadif questioned.
“No. He and Mhina have just passed out due to the smoke,” Ma Tembo clarified, wrapping her trunk around Kion and lifting him up onto her back. Once he was settled, she lifted Mhina up beside him.
“Everyone! Take care of the ones that aren’t able to move and get to Mbali Fields. Lives are at stake!” she proclaimed.
“You heard Ma Tembo, everyone! Let’s go!” Bunga echoed, ending his words in a minor cough.
The elephants helped the unconscious animals onto their backs, awaiting Ma Tembo’s next orders.
Jasiri attempted to smile brightly at the animals, though her eyes were clouded with fatigue and coughs shook her body. Seeing her exhausted state, Ma Tembo stopped beside her.
“Do you want a ride too? You look exhausted, dear,” she commented.
Jasiri nodded, climbing gratefully onto the elephant's back.
“Let’s move out!” Ma Tembo ordered.
Without another word, the elephants began to head out of the plains, moving in the direction of Mbali Fields. 
Upon their arrival, a scene of absolute chaos and devastation met their eyes. Fire blazed through the grasslands, charred trees and bushes left behind in their wake, as well as blackened grass. Animals were scattering, panicked, all around them. With a brisk glance from Ma Tembo, the elephants took the unconscious animals to the safety of the cheetahs’ den, helping them settle down. 
At that moment, Fuli rushed up to them, her eyes wide with fear and panic, her pelt smeared with soot and ruffled in numerous places. She came to a sudden halt in front of them, aggressively inhaling and exhaling and barely avoiding crashing into Ma Tembo.
“Oh! You’re here, thank goodness! It’s just pure chaos. My family is scattered. My brother and sister are really hurt. Nane has embers in his eyes, he’s worried he’ll go blind! Nyeupe can’t walk, her paws are burned. I don’t know where my parents are and I'm so scared for them! Please, help us! Help me!”
“It's all right. We’re here now, and we will help save your family. Mbali Fields will never be lost,” Ma Tembo assured the shaken teenage cheetah with a flick of her trunk.
Glancing at the assembled members of her herd, Ma Tembo delt instructions, faster than she ever was before.
“I need three elephants on fire breaks!  Three more will handle spraying water and sand, and the others will help look for any lost or injured animals. Also help any other animals you can find!”
Muhimu glanced at the assembled zebras.
“You help the elephants on fire breaks!”
“Hyenas! You’re on trenches,” Kubariki added.
“Mapenzi and I will help with that as well,” Nadif said, with Mapenzi nodding in agreement.
Bunga bounded up to Cheka, Lulu, and Mtoto.
“You three, come with me! We’ll do fire breaks!” he said, pumping his arms and trying to sound enthusiastic despite his clear exhaustion.
The three elephants immediately rallied around Bunga, digging breaks into the earth with loud stomps. Sanaa and Muwa joined them, their deft hooves making the work efficient Ono and Anga began to throw clumps of sand and dirt onto the flames even with how much their talons burned from the fire fighting. As the animals worked together, the fire slowly diminished, growing smaller and smaller. Their hope grew bigger and bigger.
“That’s it, everyone! Keep going!” Ma Tembo encouraged.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Zito standing idly again, not participating like before. Ma Tembo instantly grew furious and marched up to him, her ears flaring and trunk ready to give her mate a good lash on the head. He had definitely caused enough trouble today.
“Zito! I am not arguing with you over this again! Help the herd or go home,” she snarled.
“I might as well! This is pointless! No one’s actually in danger-”
He winced as a trunk whip came down on his head.
“Do you even SEE what’s happening to Mbali Fields? Were you even cognizant when we were at Poromoko Crevasse? Chakula Plains? Animals are in literal danger and you’re doing nothing? That is NOT behavior fit of a Pride Lander and you know it.”
“But I-”
Ma Tembo raised her trunk. “Zito. I know that you don’t fully see what I see in the Circle of Life. You’ve always been a grouch when it came to helping. But you helped when we fought Scar.”
“Because we were in danger of losing our home.”
“Yes. But what if Pride Landers died because you didn’t choose to help? Zito, this is different than fighting a fiery volcano lion and the Outlanders. We aren’t facing a threat that will wipe out the Serengeti, but this is still serious. Haven’t you seen the terror in Fuli’s eyes? She could have lost her parents or her siblings in this fire. Animals could be traumatized. Why would you sit around and do nothing while everyone suffers?”
Zito paused, the realization slowly dawning on him like the rise of sun on every morning. He thought back to when he first became mates with Ma Tembo. He’d always been the brash, irritated one, and Ma Tembo had balanced that out with her wisdom, gained from Aminifu, her father. She was very outspoken and kind to even a fool like him.
And they had a family. An adult daughter who was battling with vigor and determination in her eyes. A young son who eagerly listened to Bunga’s instructions. What would he be if he lost that? Not a good father, and not worthy of being a Pride Lander.
“Do you see what I see now, Zito? Every life is precious, not just a life in our herd. I get you don’t like receiving help from the Lion Guard. Yet, don’t you think we should repay the debt to them after all they’ve sacrificed just to protect us? Don’t let everything you know go to waste because of your arrogance.”
Surveying the fields, Zito saw the conundrum that had unfolded, thinking back to the fires. The exhausted Guard. Anga and Ono’s desperation. Kion and Mhina passing out. Bunga, even being the bravest, showing hints of fear, of cracking, rare for the honey badger who was hardly ever fazed by anything.
In the chaos, Fuli had found her parents, Fila and Kesho; Fila had scars down the side of her flanks, and her ears were singed at the tips. She was still a regal king cheetah, but looked worn, aged by years. Kesho’s spots were smudged with ash, and his paw was covered in blood, likely from a wrenched claw. It needed treatment, that much he knew, or it’d be infected.
Fuli was stressed, but was relieved. She had family to lean on, and her parents and siblings would be okay. Teamwork made the dream work. Every little ounce of help mattered. And, finally, Zito’s heart grew to be just a bit bigger.
“I’m sorry… I’m sorry, Ma Tembo. I see what you see now. I’ll make up for this, one day. But getting a start now will help for the greater good of the Pride Lands.”
With a determined, unbroken stride, Zito joined the side of Johari, who glanced at him approvingly, and together, they sprayed clouds of brown dirt onto a patch of flames, extinguishing them fast.
“Well done, Zito! It’s nice to see you coming around to being a hero!” Johari remarked.
“Oh, don’t tickle me pink, Johari,” Zito retorted in a lighthearted manner, managing to smile for once.
Eventually, the flames were completely extinguished, though most of the grass in Mbali Fields was charred and blackened. 
Fila glanced around gratefully at the gathered animals, heaving out a sigh of relief.
“Thank you, everyone. Mbali Fields is saved with room to spare!” Fuli cried in jubilee.
Murmurs of agreement rose up from the gathered gazelles, oryxes, and elands, who had escaped the flames and worked their rears off to help put out.
“As you can see, all of our herds are very thankful for your help. We will find a way to repay this debt,” Swala added, dipping her head in approval.
Zito cleared his throat awkwardly, and his audience turned toward him, preparing to hear the elephant’s typical grouchy lashings.
“Everyone… I owe you an apology. Today, I did some dishonorable things. I did not help when I was needed and only did so upon being urged by my mate. However, that is not enough to justify the precious seconds I have wasted. If I wasted more, animals could have died. I’ve realized that every life is special. It’s more than just mine or my herd’s. From now on, I will better myself as a Pride Lander and help when I am called upon. It’s my duty to serve.”
Ma Tembo stepped up beside him, curling her trunk around his affectionately.
“Well said, my love. I’m sure that, with time, you’ll be very regarded in the Pride Lands.”
She raised her trunk, trumpeting loudly.
“Let's get these animals to Rafiki’s Tree so he and Makini can help them heal!”
At her command, the animals began to make their way towards Rafiki's Tree.
They found Rafiki and Makini waiting for them outside the tree, herb bundles scattered around them, nests of moss and bracken had been assembled as well. While Rafiki was stoic in the classic way he was, Makini was more expressive and looked concerned for every animal present.
“Come, come! Put those that are injured or unconscious in these nests so their injuries can be treated,” Rafiki directed.
He and Makini grasped herb bundles and began to move among the injured animals, who were carefully settling down in nests.
Mlinzi limped forward unsteadily to join them. Makini winced, uncertain - that injured paw needed treatment first.
“I shall be glad to provide assistance if needed,” Mlinzi stated, breaking her thoughts.
“Dad, you’re injured too!” Asante pointed out, her head cocked to the side with worry.
“I can help, darling.”
“Not so fast, healer hyena! Treatment first, then you heal!” Rafiki exclaimed, rushing a startled Mlinzi off for treatment. There was no arguing with Rafiki.
Makini approached Kion and Mhina, who were huddled together in a mossy nest. The young mandrill held a leaf that had a comfrey root poultice, and a gourd filled with a bright-eye, lovage, and honey mixture.
She knelt down beside them, being careful not to disturb the two as they cuddled together, their tails wrapped around each other.
Makini dipped a bundle of moss into the comfrey poultice, gently spreading it onto Kion's burns. Kion stirred, his eyes slowly opening as he glanced around in confusion. His body ached; warm fur was pressed against him, and a mandrill’s pink hand was applying something to his pelt…
“Wh-What happened? How’d we get here?” he asked.
Makini set the poultice aside, reaching over to ruffle his mane. She smiled, her teal eyes full of sympathy.
“Hey, Kion. There were wildfires, but they’re all handled. The animals helped the Guard deal with them. Everyone is safe and accounted for here. As for you, you and Mhina came completely knocked out, and I’m treating your wounds right now.”
“The wildfires… are put out? Is the Pride Lands safe? Is Mhina-” Kion asked.
Makini nodded, sshing him.
“Take it easy. I’ll get to Mhina in a second. Ma Tembo's elephants helped put the fires out, and so did the other Pride Landers. The earth is charred, but everything will heal as the days go on. Here, take this herb mixture, it’ll help,” she urged.
Kion swallowed the herb mixture from the gourd she held up to him, cringing at the bittersweet taste. He glanced over at Mhina, nudging him awake just as Makini sat down and got to work. He nuzzled his cheek, and the touch, combined with Makini’s padding and prodding, woke the leopon fully.
“Wha… what happened? Oh, the fires! Are they put out? What’s going on-”
“They’re extinguished, Mhina! We did it,” Kion informed him brightly.
“Really?”
“Really.”
Makini helped Mhina swallow the herb mixture, moving to treat his burns.
Kion shifted closer to the leopon, and the two pressed muzzles affectionately. They were safe, together, and would come to heal from the harrowing war against the fires. They had each other. Two halves of a coconut making one.
“I saw you pass out… Mhina, I was so worried you were gonna die! You looked so exhausted and on the verge of giving up… I was running out of ideas on what to do…” Kion confessed, pressing his muzzle into Mhina’s nape.
“Mate, I’m a billabong. I’m not gonna be dying anytime soon, bloody oath on that,” Mhina admitted. “Besides, I wouldn’t give up fighting for you and my friends for a single minute otherwise. Especially for you.”
He reached over, briefly pressing his muzzle to Kion’s cheek. Kion returned the gesture, relaxing against him. Their heartbeats settled, almost intertwined, and a subtle purr rose between them. Mhina shut his eyes, ready for an afternoon nap after everything, and Kion was ready to do the same thing.
After a few heartbeats, Ma Tembo came up to them, clearing her throat softly so as to not alarm them.
“You two look much better. Are you guys alright?” she asked, her expression softening as she noticed them nuzzling. Her ears also detected the purring - oh, these two were adorable.
“Yeah.”
“Totes fine,” Mhina added.
“That's wonderful news. Rafiki and Mlinzi have almost wrapped up treating injuries, and everyone is resting now. Peace has come easy,” Ma Tembo replied.
Just then, Bunga came bounding up to them, his poultices crumbling from his body as he ran.
“Bunga! Slow down! I just applied those!” Mlinzi called after him, putting his face in his paws.
Bunga ignored him, coming to a halt beside Ma Tembo.
“So, where’s everyone staying while their homes are burned?” he asked.
Kion and Ma Tembo exchanged a glance.
“Anyone that wants to take refuge in Kilio Valley with my elephants will be very welcome,” Ma Tembo offered immediately.
“Yes, I agree. Without a doubt,” Zito chimed in, coming to stand beside her.
Nadif came over to them, followed closely by the other animals.
“Thank you, my group gratefully accepts this offer. We’ll need all the shelter we can receive,” the serval thanked. He looked at the other herbivores, who had heads eagerly turned to one another, and whispers darted to and fro between them.
Kion thought for a moment, then spoke.
“Maybe the elands, gazelles, zebras, and oryxes can find shelter in Acacia Savannah. Thema and her herd wouldn’t mind some additional company.”
“Excellent idea, Kion!” shouted Chane, the leader of the elands.
Cries of agreement rang out from the elands, gazelles, zebras, and oryxes.
”The hyenas and cheetahs can seek shelter in Ndefu Grove with Laini, Bupu, and Tumbili until Mbali Fields has recovered,” Kion continued.
“Yes, that will work out… Tumbili may be a bit moody, but he wouldn’t refuse any animal in need. Same with Bupu,” Fila stated, her tail relaxed.
“I agree,” Kubariki added.
Beshte, Fuli, Ono, and Anga came to join Kion, Mhina, and Bunga.
“Well, guys, we did it! The first test of the dry season has been passed. While it certainly won’t be the last one, today is a victory we’ll remember and cherish,” Kion proclaimed, glancing around at his friends and the gathered Pride Landers, who had assembled into groups to head to their temporary habitats.
“We never gave up!” Ono cheered.
“It was hard, but we didn't let the fire destroy our home. The Pride Lands will thrive for seasons to come!” Anga added.
“Yeah, and all the Pride Landers worked together, even the most bullheaded ones! That's Poa!” Beshte shouted, a newly-made aloe poultice wrapped around his back to treat his sunburn, which had escalated due to the heat of the fires.
“Ah, yeah! Talk about some teamwork and kicking that fire to ashes! We’re legends!” Bunga exclaimed, jumping in the air.
“Definitely!” Fuli agreed.
“And as long as we’re united, we’ll be friends to the end!” Mhina purred.
“We can take on anything! Til the Pride Lands' end!” Kion started.
“Lion Guard defend!” the others finished.
Kion and Mhina glanced at each other, warmly gazing out across the horizon and the sun as it broke through the clouds, dousing the scorched lands with bright yellow light.
“There’s hope in everything,” Kion murmured. “Fire burns, but when you shove aside the soot and ash…”
“You find the life that’s truly hidden inside,” Mhina said, gazing up at him hopefully. Did Kion see what he saw?
He definitely did, because Kion’s teal eyes glittered with nothing but love - not just for his friends, but a special one, just for Mhina, too.
== Appearances  ==
=== Characters ===
*Max Charles as Kion
*Cade Sutton as Mhina
* Joshua Rush as Bunga / Sukari (cameo)
* Diamond White as Fuli
* Bryana Salaz as Anga
* Atticus Shaffer as Ono 
* Dusan Brown as Beshte
* Khary Payton as Rafiki
*Landry Bender as Makini
*Maia Mitchell as Jasiri
*Kimiko Glenn as Asante
*Paget Brewster as Kubariki / Mdalasini 
*Ace Gibson as Mlinzi / Johari / Kanu / Imewashwa (cameo) / Tumbili (mentioned)
*Crimson Hart as Tunu (cameo)
*Fiona Hart as Wema (cameo)
*Maisie Klompus as Madoa / Itanya (cameos)
*Arin Hanson as Shinda (cameo)
*André Sogliuzzo as Shinuni (cameo)
* Kari Wahlgren as Muhimu
* Kevin Schon as Thurston
* Lyons Luke Mathias as Hamu / Kwato (cameos)
* Meghan Strange as Sanaa (cameo) / Mapenzi (cameo) / Laini (mentioned) / Pembetatu (mentioned)
* Kate Micucci as Amana (cameo)
* Nora Dunn as Muwa (cameo)
* Nolan North as Nadif 
* Henry Kaufman as Mahra (cameo)
*Heather Headley as Fila 
*Dee Bradley Baker as Kesho (cameo) 
* Lana McKissack as Nyeupe (cameo)
* David S. Jung as Chane 
* Tunisia Hardison as Swala
* On Braly as Nzee (cameo)
* Luci Christian as Nzuri (cameo)
* James Harper as Machufa (cameo)
* Paula Jai Parker as Ma Tembo
* Nick Watt as Zito / Nane (cameo)
* Justin Felbinger as Mtoto (cameo)
* Virginia Watson as Pembe (cameo)
* Marieve Herington as Zigo (cameo)
* Natalie Coughlin as Lulu (cameo)
* Ogie Banks as Cheka (cameo)
* Jacob Bertrand as Chama (cameo)
* Rob Lowe as Simba (indirectly mentioned)
* Jeff Bennett as Zazu (mentioned)
* Blair Underwood as Makuu (mentioned)
* Michael Dorn as Bupu (mentioned)
* Clyde Kusatsu as Aminifu (mentioned)
*David Oyelowo as Scar (mentioned)
* Meredith Scott Lynn as Thema (mentioned)
=== Groups ===
* The Lion Guard
* Pride Landers 
* Fila's Coalition
* Swala's Herd
* Imewashwa's Herd
* Chane's Herd
* Muhimu's Herd
* Kubariki's Clan
* Nadif's Group
* Ma Tembo's Herd
* Makuu's Float (indirectly mentioned)
* Thema's Herd (mentioned)
* Outlanders (mentioned)
=== Locations ===
* Pride Lands 
** Chakula Plains 
** Kilio Valley
**Poromoko Crevasse
** Mbali Fields
** Rafiki's Tree
** Rocky Plains
** Mud Pots (mentioned)
** Makuu's Watering Hole (indirectly mentioned)
** Acacia Savannah (mentioned)
** Ndefu Grove (mentioned)
* Outlands (mentioned)
** Outlands Volcano (mentioned)
=== Animals ===
* Lions 
* Cheetahs
* Leopons 
* Honey Badgers
* Eagles 
* Egrets
* Hippopotamuses
* Mandrills
* Gazelles
* Oryxes
* Elands 
* Zebras
* Hyenas 
* Servals 
* Elephants
* Crocodiles (mentioned)
* Flamingos (mentioned)
== Trivia ==
* This episode is based off the comic from The Lion Guard magazine, Wildfire Emergency.
*There are several differences between the episode and comic.
**In the comic, zebras approach the Lion Guard and inform them of their herd members being trapped in a wildfire. However, the episode depicts multiple dangerous fires at once that trap more animals aside from the zebras.
**The comic depicts two paths around the fire, but no such paths are present in the episode.
**In a contrast to the comic, the episode takes place in the dry season.
**The fires are put out naturally by rain, but in the episode, they are put out by the usage of fire breaks, standing water, and dirt.
**At the end of the comic, there is a flood from the rainwater, but as the episode takes place in the dry season, no flood occurs due to the hot climate.
*This is the first Legends of the Lion Guard installment where Paula Jai Parker voices Ma Tembo, which followed the death of Lynette DuPree in February 2023.
**This is also the first Legends of the Lion Guard installment to be released following the spring 2023 hiatus over behind-the-scenes issues.
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Category:Legends of the Lion Guard: Protectors of the Pride Lands
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