Legends of the Lion Guard: Battle for the Pride Lands: Chapter 12

Chapter 12 is the twelfth chapter of Legends of the Lion Guard: Battle for the Pride Lands.
==Synopsis==
Mhina and his siblings rush off to stop an attack from Reth's Pride. However, Mhina's bravery ultimately ends up costing him any more chances to fight in the battle.
==Transcript==
As the shock of Scar's appearance began to sink in, the animals turned towards Kion, their expressions filled with fear and panic.
“It won't be easy to defeat Scar, will it? He's a lion made of fire.” Rani said.
“You're right, Rani. It won't be easy. But we're not giving up. This war will end tonight.” Kion said.
Suddenly, Ono's eyes widened as he scanned the sky.
“There's a problem, Kion!” Ono exclaimed.
“What's the kerbubble, Ono?!” Beshte asked.
“It's two attacks! Reth's Pride is attacking Maumivu Thorn Patch, hyraxes are trapped within the thorns!” Ono reported. 
Kion exchanged a glance with Fuli and Mhina.
“Where's the second attack?!” Kion asked.
“Hapana! Acacia Grove is on fire! Mzingo's Committee is going after the animals there!” Ono shouted.
Mhina exchanged a glance with Tatu, Kopa, and Kicheko.
“We'll go fight Reth's Pride, Kion.” Mhina said.
Kion felt his heartbeat quicken, as he met Mhina's gaze.
“Are you sure, Mhina?” Kion asked, his voice shaking with emotion.
“Reth's Pride has to be driven out of the Pride Lands, Kion.” Mhina said.
Kion felt Kiara come up to stand beside him, gently brushing her tail along his spine.
“Let him go, Kion. It's okay.” Kiara said gently, her eyes shining with compassion.
Kion sighed, his gaze fixated on Mhina.
“Thank you, Mhina.” Kion said shakily.
Mhina moved forward, and pressed his muzzle against Kion's cheek.
“I'll be back soon, I promise.” Mhina said.
He and Kion held each other's gazes for a moment, their eyes shining with affection, before Mhina turned towards his siblings.
Kion watched as Mhina and his siblings rushed off, his heart aching with emotion.
“I don't want him to get hurt, Kiara.” Kion said quietly.
“I know you don't, Kion. But Mhina's strong enough to fight Reth's Pride.” Kiara said reassuringly.
Kion leaned against Kiara's side, feeling his paws shake. Kiara wrapped her tail around Kion's shoulders.
Behind them, Bunga cleared his throat pointedly.
“You gonna tell us what the plan for beating the vultures is, Kion?” Bunga asked.
“Shush, Bunga.” Fuli growled.
Kiara gently nudged Kion, and he pulled away from her, willing himself to remain steady on his paws.
“What's the plan, Kion?” Fuli prompted gently, moving to stand on his other side.
“You decide, Fuli. I...I can't.” Kion said shakily.
“Okay, you, Beshte, Bunga, and I will handle the vultures. Jasiri can go too. Ono can see if Hadithi's bird army needs help. The others can make sure everyone else is safe.” Fuli said uncertainly, exchanging a glance with Kiara.
“Sounds like a plan, Fuli.” Kion said, his tone betraying his anxiety.
Kiara gently stroked her tail along his spine.
“Do you want me to go too?” Kiara asked gently.
Kion nodded shakily, pressing himself against her pelt.
“I need you, Kiara. I don't know if I'm strong enough without him.” Kion said quietly.
“I'll be right beside you, I promise.” Kiara said soothingly.
Meanwhile, Mhina and his siblings had reached Maumivu Thorn Patch.
Their eyes widened as they took in the chaos in front of them. 
“What in Leopon Plains...” Tatu murmured.
Throughout Maumivu Thorn Patch, thorns were trampled everywhere. Pim's group of hyraxes were trapped a thick wad of thorns, and their pups, Safi and Aliruka, were petrified.
Mhina cleared his throat, his heart clenching with emotion.
“I hope I can lead this fight as good as Kion does. He has a real drive to take command.” Mhina said quietly.
“You'll be fine, brother.” Tatu said gently.
“What're we waiting for?” Kicheko asked.
Mhina charged forward, slamming into Kariuki and pinning him to the ground. 
Kariuki chuckled.
“Well, if it isn't the little leopon.” Kariuki said.
He kicked upwards, sending Mhina toppling off of him. 
Swiftly, Mhina leapt back onto his paws, his expression cold and determined.
“I suggest you call a retreat now unless you want to fight all four of us.” Mhina snapped.
“That sounds like a challenge.” Kariuki answered. The leopons began their attack, countering as best they could against the treacherous lions.
Kopa began carefully pulling tendrils of thorns away from Pim and his family, and let them crawl onto his back. Kicheko charged towards Ekene, and slammed into him, sending him flying towards an acacia tree.
Suddenly, Kariuki lunged towards Mhina, and slashed a paw down, aiming for Mhina's right eye. Mhina yelped, and collapsed to the ground as a sharp pain coursed through him, a bright red scar marring his right eye. 
“No!” Tatu shrieked, her eyes wide with horror and shock.
Together, Kariuki and Slash lunged forward, pinning Mhina to the ground. Mhina struggled under their weight, attempting to kick upwards and throw them off. Slash sank her teeth into his shoulder, and he screeched in pain.
“Now you have the Mark of Evil, just like Scar! It's only a matter of time before you turn evil as well!” Kariuki taunted.
“Scar killed Kion's grandfather and destroyed the Circle of Life. I will never be like him.” Mhina growled.
Suddenly, Tatu and Kicheko rushed forward, dragging Kariuki and Slash off of Mhina.
“Retreat. Now.” Kicheko snarled.
“Our mission is complete, everyone. Back to Reth.” Slash ordered.
Immediately, the pride hurried off.
Once they'd gone, Mhina's siblings immediately surrounded him. Tatu knelt down to examine Mhina's shoulder.
“That looks infected. You need to see a Mjuzi.” Tatu said.
Slowly, Mhina staggered to his paws, closing his eyes against the pain in his shoulder.
Tatu and Kicheko immediately pressed closer on either side of him, letting him shift his weight onto them.
“We'll take you to Flat Ridge Rock.” Kicheko said.
Mhina had closed his eyes, leaning heavily against Tatu's shoulder.
“I'll stay here and help the hyraxes.” Kopa said.
“Thanks, Kopa.” Mhina said weakly.
Slowly, keeping Mhina between them, Tatu and Kicheko began to make their way to Flat Ridge Rock.
When they arrived, they saw Rafiki, Kenene, and Makini preparing bundles of herbs and moss.
“Rafiki! We need help!” Tatu called.
Rafiki glanced up, and his eyes widened as he took in the sight of Tatu and Kicheko supporting Mhina, who was struggling to remain conscious.
“What has happened?!” Rafiki asked, his tone filled with concern.
Kenene and Makini immediately moved forward, and guided Mhina towards a mossy nest. Mhina settled down into the nest, Tatu and Kicheko settling down close beside him.
“Kariuki and Slash attacked him. He has a scarred eye, and we think his shoulder is infected.” Tatu said. 
Rafiki moved towards Mhina, and knelt down to examine his shoulder.
“Yes, it is indeed infected.” Rafiki said.
Behind him, Kenene and Makini quickly began sorting through the herb bundles.
“Can you help him, Rafiki?” Kicheko asked.
“Yes. I will apply a chervil and elder leaf poultice. Mhina must be taken to Pride Rock to rest, he cannot take part any further in this battle.” Rafiki answered.
Kenene and Makini moved forward, Kenene was holding a gourd and a small bundle of moss.
“Here's the poultice, Uncle Rafiki.” Kenene said.
“Thank you, Kenene.” Rafiki said, as Kenene passed him the gourd and moss.
He glanced at Makini.
“Help hold his shoulder steady, please.” Rafiki instructed.
“Yes, Uncle Rafiki.” Makini said, as she gently placed her palm on Mhina's shoulder.
Rafiki dipped the moss into the gourd, and began to gently spread the poultice over the bite marks.
Beside Mhina, Tatu's eyes were wide as she watched him.
“Will he be okay, Rafiki?” Tatu asked anxiously.
Rafiki glanced at her, and his expression softened.
“Mhina will be fine. He must rest now.” Rafiki said, as he finished applying the poultice.
Slowly, Mhina sat up, leaning heavily against Tatu's shoulder.
“I need to tell you something, Rafiki.” Mhina said.
“What is it, young one?” Rafiki asked.
“Kariuki said I have the Mark of Evil now, like Scar does, and I'll turn evil like him. Is that true?” Mhina asked.
“No, Mhina. The Mark of Evil is inflicted only by cobra bite, you will have no lasting effects from this scar.” Rafiki said gently.
“Are you sure?” Mhina asked anxiously.
“Yes, I am sure.” Rafiki answered.
Suddenly, Rani approached them, noticably limping and looking pained.
“Rani? Are you okay?!” Mhina asked, his tone filling with concern and anxiety.
Rani's eyes widened as she took in Mhina's injuries.
“What happened, Mhina?!” Rani asked worriedly.
“Kariuki attacked me, but I'll be fine.” Mhina answered dismissively.
Rafiki cleared his throat pointedly, noticing Rani's pained expression.
“Have you come for treatment as well?” Rafiki prompted.
Rani moved towards him, holding her right foreleg out. A scar now marred the fur on her foreleg.
“I was attacked too. Can you help?” Rani asked.
“Of course, I shall make a poultice for you as well. You can rest with Mhina.” Rafiki replied.
He moved away as Rani settled down beside Mhina, eyeing him worriedly.
“Are you sure you're okay? You look tired.” Rani said, her eyes wide with concern.
“I'll be fine.” Mhina repeated.
“Who attacked you, Rani?” Tatu asked.
“A strange lion. He has dark orange fur, a dark red mane, red eyes, and a scar across his right eye.” Rani answered.
“That sounds like Ubaya…He must've come here to fight with the Outlanders.” Tatu said.
“Who's Ubaya?” Makini asked.
“He's a very evil lion. He tried to take over Leopon Plains before Grandma became queen, during Grandmother Arjana's reign.” Kicheko explained. 
Mhina's eyes were wide with horror and shock.
“I didn't know he was here.” Mhina said shakily.
“It's okay, Mhina. It's just a scar.” Rani said.
Rafiki came forward, and began to spread a poultice onto her leg. 
Mhina sighed, gazing out towards the setting sun.
“What's wrong, Mhina?” Tatu asked.
“I told Kion we'd defeat Scar together. Now he has to face him without me.” Mhina said.
“Don't worry, Mhina. Kion will succeed, and you'll be reunited as soon as Scar is defeated.” Rani said.
“How soon will that be, Rani? Kion makes me feel stronger. I don't feel complete unless he's by my side.” Mhina replied.
He sighed, shifting deeper into the moss.
“You all might as well know, I'm in love with-“ Mhina began.
“We know. You're in love with Kion, you've been in love since we were cubs.” Tatu said quickly.
“It's really obvious, we can all see the looks you two share. You'd have to be as clueless as Bunga to not see it.” Rani added.
Beside her, Rafiki's expression softened as he watched Mhina shift so he was leaning against Tatu's shoulder, closing his eyes.
==Appearances==
===Characters===
*Max Charles as Kion
*Cade Sutton as Mhina
*Diamond White as Fuli
*Joshua Rush as Bunga
*Atticus Shaffer as Ono
*Dusan Brown as Beshte
*Rob Lowe as Simba (cameo)
*Moira Kelly as Nala (cameo)
*Eden Riegel as Kiara
*Jason Marsden as Kovu (cameo)
* Matthew Broderick as Gula (cameo)
* Lacey Chabert as Vitani (cameo)
*Landry Bender as Makini / Tatu
*Khary Payton as Rafiki
*Behzad Dabu as Azaad (cameo)
*Mekai Curtis as Kopa
*Peyton Elizabeth Lee as Rani
*Hudson Yang as Baliyo (cameo) / Kicheko
*Marieve Herington as Kenene
* Lou Diamond Phillips as Surak (cameo)
* Ace Gibson as Jivin (cameo)
* Maia Mitchell as Jasiri (cameo)
* Johnny Rees as Mzingo (mentioned) / Kariuki
* Savannah Smith as Slash
* Jorge Diaz as Ekene (cameo)
*James Earl Jones as Mufasa (indirectly mentioned)
* Dee Bradley Baker as Pim (cameo)
* Catherine Tate as Kioevu (cameo)
* Bluebelle Saraceno as Safi / Aliruka (cameos)
* Tiffany Espensen as Atiena (indirectly mentioned)
* Toks Olagundoye as Arjana (mentioned)
*David Oyelowo as Scar (mentioned)
* John O'Hurley as Hadithi (mentioned) 
* Justin Hires as Reth (mentioned)
* Steve Blum as Ubaya (mentioned)
===Groups===
* The Lion Guard 
* Simba's Pride 
* Tumaini Pride 
* Reth's Pride
* Fikiri's Troop
* Pim's Group
* Night Pride
* Kion's Army
* Scar's Army
* Mzingo's Committee (mentioned)
* Pride Landers (uncredited)
===Locations===
* Pride Lands 
** Pride Rock
** Acacia Grove (mentioned)
** Maumivu Thorn Patch
** Flat Ridge Rock
* Leopon Plains (mentioned)
===Animals===
*Lions
*Leopons
*Cheetahs
*Hippopotamuses
*Honey Badgers
*Egrets
*Hyenas
*Hyraxes
*Mandrills
==Trivia==
* This chapter marks the first occurrence of Simba and Nala having silent cameos.
* This is the first Legends of the Lion Guard installment to be released in 2022.
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