Legends of the Lion Guard: The Dark Prophecy (Chapter 10)

Chapter 10 is the tenth chapter of Legends of the Lion Guard: The Dark Prophecy.
==Synopsis==
Kion struggles to look inside of himself, fearful he will turn out exactly like Scar.
==Transcript ==
On a calm day, Nirmala and Kion had ventured to a wide lake, surrounded by a forest of trees.
“This is Pratibimba, the Lake of Reflection,” Nirmala announced.
Kion's eyes widened with astonishment as he gazed around him.
Nirmala led him towards the lakeshore, and they gazed into the water.
“Look in the water. What do you see?” Nirmala questioned.
Kion growled in frustration as he looked at his reflection.
“My scar. I can't wait until it's healed and gone,” Kion muttered, slashing a paw at his reflection.
Nirmala stepped closer to him, brushing her tail along his spine.
“Kion, what if your scar never goes away?” Nirmala asked gently. 
“The whole reason I'm here is to get my scar healed, so I can be myself again,” Kion said.
Nirmala's expression softened.
“That scar doesn't make you who you are, Kion,” Nirmala said.
“What do you mean?” Kion asked.
“That scar is only skin deep. There's much more inside you. You just need to remember that,” Nirmala replied.
Suddenly, she yawned loudly, her eyes clouded with exhaustion.
“Just like I need to remember to sleep,” Nirmala said.
She turned, preparing to bound off towards the Tree of Life.
“What? Aren't you gonna stay here and help me?” Kion asked.
“I've done everything I can do, Kion. To complete your healing, you need to look inside yourself,” Nirmala said patiently.
Kion watched as Nirmala headed towards the Tree of Life, his eyes wide with confusion.
“Look inside myself?” Kion said quietly.
Meanwhile, the Night Pride, joined by the Lion Guard and Kingiza were patrolling Bamboo Woods. 
“Is Kion's scar healed yet?” Bunga asked.
“We don't know, Bunga. Nirmala says Kion still has steps to take in his healing. The final outcome is down to him,” Fuli replied.
“We all want him to get better. But maybe this is as healed as he's going to get,” Rani added.
“You mean like my eyesight. It's better, but not back to the way it was,” Ono commented.
“Exactly like that, Ono,” Rani said gently.
Anga's expression softened, her eyes shining with affection as she glanced at Ono.
“Kion might not be at his best right now. But he is the best,” Fuli said.
“He knows he has the support of us beside him, we won't let him face this alone,.” Mhina said. 
“We're friends to the end,” Beshte said.
“Now and forever,” Anga added.
Kingiza moved closer to Rani, letting his flank brush against hers.
“It's been an honor and a privilege to come here and help the Night Pride defend the Tree of Life,” Kingiza said.
He glanced behind them, where Jivin and Maya were walking together.
“Thank you for letting me stay, your majesties,” Kingiza said respectfully.
“You're welcome, Kingiza,” Jivin said.
His expression softened as he watched Rani lean closer to Kingiza, pressing her muzzle against his.
“You're always welcome to come on patrols. I think we make a great team,” Rani said.
“Yeah, we do,” Kingiza replied.
He pressed his shoulder against Rani's, entwining his tail with hers.
Suddenly, Ullu flew up to them, landing in front of Jivin.
“Do you have today's morning report, Ullu?” Jivin asked.
“I do, your majesty. The borders seem clear, and there's no discontent amongst the animals, all is peaceful today,” Ullu reported.
“Thank you, Ullu,” Jivin said gratefully.
Rani stepped away from Kingiza, moving to stand close to Jivin.
“These past few days may have been peaceful, but that doesn't mean Reth or Makucha have given up. They'll be back, and the animals of the Tree will be put in danger again. I don't want to fail at protecting them,” Rani said. 
Jivin and Maya exchanged a glance.
“I know you won't fail, princess. I have faith in you,” Jivin said.
“I don't want to let you down, Dad. I promise I'll keep everyone safe,” Rani replied.
“You have never let me down, Rani,” Jivin said firmly.
Meanwhile, at Pratibimba, Kion was still settled on the lakeshore, gazing down at his reflection in the water.
“How am I supposed to look inside myself when I feel to conflicted by my own inner thoughts and what Ushari's venom is making me think? I haven't used the Roar in nearly a moon. I already almost killed my best friend when I lost control of it. I can't let that happen again. I can't take a chance of hurting the ones I love, especially Mhina,” Kion lamented.
He glared at the reflection of his scar, his eyes hardened with anger and irritation.
“Scar murdered my grandfather and caused devastation to the Pride Lands. Everyone I care about trusts me, I can't risk going down the path he did. I need to be healed so I can be myself again,” Kion continued.
Suddenly, to Kion's horror, a vision of Scar appeared instantaneously in the water. Kion stared transfixed at his reflection, his eyes wide with fear and perturbation. The vision soon vanished, and Kion exhaled sharply, his heartbeat quickened from the shock.
He continued to gaze at his reflection, his mind in a state of unease at what he'd seen.
Unbeknownst to Kion, Mhina had ventured to Pratibimba and was approaching him.
Mhina's eyes narrowed in concern as he reached Kion, noticing the anxiety in Kion's expression.
Immersed in his thoughts, Kion failed to notice Mhina's arrival, his mind still unsettled by the vision he'd seen.
“Kion? Are you okay?” Mhina asked, his tone growing in distress as he saw the horror in Kion's eyes.
Startled out of his contemplation, Kion glanced up, his eyes widening in alarm as he saw Mhina.
“Mhina?! What are you doing here?” Kion asked.
“I'm here to check on you. I wanted to see how this exercise was going,” Mhina explained, a feeling of disquiet overcoming him as he observed Kion's shaken state.
“Nirmala wanted me to look inside myself and reflect about what I've done so far. All I've been able to think about is what Ushari and Scar did to me, and what Scar did to my family. I can't get it out of my head. He disrupted my dad's life and killed my grandfather just because he wanted to be king. I'm worried that I'll go down the same path as him. I don't want to hurt anyone I care about, e-especially you,” Kion confessed.
Slowly, Mhina moved closer, settling down beside Kion.
“When I was reflecting just now, I s-saw him in the water. S-Scar was staring at me in my reflection. He's everywhere now. I feel like he's inside my head, trying to repeat history by m-making me become him,” Kion said tremulously, his heartbeat thundering in his chest and tears brimming in his eyes as he struggled to hold them back.
Mhina pressed himself against Kion's pelt, feeling Kion shake violently against him as he fought back sobs.
“It's okay, Kion. Scar's not really here. He can't hurt you anymore. I won't let him hurt you,” Mhina soothed.
“You don't understand, Mhina. He's my kin. I c-can't escape him. Scar came to me before, when we were traveling here, i-in the Back Lands. I-I've even started having nightmares about what happened in the volcano, what he said to me,” Kion said shakily.
“Kion, look at me. Focus on me,” Mhina urged gently.
Kion forced himself to meet Mhina's gaze, warmed by the look of concern in Mhina's eyes.
“You're not alone. I'm right here. I promise I'm not going anywhere. You have a whole team that cares about you. We're here to stay. You don't have to be afraid of hurting us,” Mhina said reassuringly.
At Mhina's words, Kion gradually relaxed, his heartbeat easing to a normal pace.
“Nirmala's right, Kion. You just need to look inside yourself and rediscover who you truly are. You still have the same drive to take command and the leadership qualities I've always admired,” Mhina said.
He leaned closer to Kion, brushing his muzzle affectionately against Kion's cheek.
“You just need to remember what makes you who you are. You've always had the energy to take control of a situation. That's what makes you a great leader. Nothing's changed since what happened in the volcano. You're still the same lion you were when we met,” Mhina continued. The lion I fell in love with.
“I'm not just worried about Scar. It's been almost a moon since I've been able to use the Roar. I haven't used it since the battle, when I roared at Bunga in the Outlands. I could've hurt him. I could've killed my best friend. I-If I can't use the Roar, I don't know how good of a leader I'm able to be,” Kion divulged.
“How long has it been since you talked to Mufasa, Kion?” Mhina inquired gently.
“I haven't talked to him since the night before the battle,” Kion revealed.
“Don't you think talking to Mufasa about all of this will help you feel better?” Mhina prompted.
“The last time I talked to Grandpa, I didn't have a scar. I didn't look like the lion that murdered him, his own brother,” Kion replied.
“We all have our scars, Kion. Sisi Ni Sawa,” Mhina said, indicating the scar across his eye.
“Grandpa thought he could trust him. I can't remind him of what he lost because of Scar,” Kion said.
“Mufasa loves you. The scar won't matter to him. What Ushari and Scar did won't change how he feels,” Mhina said.
“How do you know it won't?” Kion asked.
“I know because the scar didn't change how I feel about you or how the others feel. None of us are going anywhere. We're still right by your side,” Mhina answered.
Kion glanced up, suddenly feeling a surge of determination and hope course through him.
“You're right, Mhina. Grandpa's always cared about me. He's always been there when I needed him. I'm ready to talk to him about this,” Kion said. 
Mhina leaned over, pressing his cheek against Kion's shoulder.
“Do you want me to go with you? Or do you need to do this alone?” Mhina asked gently.
“I need to do this alone, Mhina,” Kion replied.
Mhina nodded, his eyes shining with warmth and affection as he and Kion broke apart.
“Good luck, Kion. I hope talking to Mufasa does help,” Mhina said.
He watched as Kion headed towards the Willows, a look of concern in his eyes.
When Kion reached the Willows, he glanced upwards at the sky. 
“Grandpa Mufasa?” Kion called nervously. 
He felt a surge of relief and affection sweep over him as Mufasa's spirit appeared.
“I'm here, Kion. It has been a long time. I was worried that you had forgotten about me,” Mufasa said gently.
“No, Grandpa. I didn't forget about you. I-I was afraid to face you. I've got this scar now, and I was worried I'd turn evil, like Scar. I didn't want to remind you of what he did to you and our family,” Kion admitted.
Mufasa's expression softened, his eyes shining with concern and warmth.
“Kion, you could have talked to me anytime. I told you I would always be here for you, no matter what. That hasn't changed. It never will,” Mufasa said.
“Thanks, Grandpa. That makes me feel better,” Kion said.
“Is there something else troubling you, Kion?” Mufasa prompted.
“The scar is making it hard for me to control the Roar. I don't want to risk hurting anyone else I care about. I don't know what to do, Grandpa,” Kion said.
“If it is answers about the Roar that you seek, I'm afraid I cannot be much help. I never led the Lion Guard. The Roar was never mine. You must travel to Cikha Escarpment to gain the knowledge you desire,” Mufasa said.
“Where's Cikha Escarpment?” Kion asked.
“It's not far from here, in those mountains behind you,” Mufasa explained.
“Thank you, Grandpa. I'm so sorry I stayed away. I promise I won't be afraid to talk to you again,” Kion said.
“Good. I missed you, Kion. You must always remember one thing, you are my grandson and I love you, until the Pride Lands' end,” Mufasa said.
“I love you, Grandpa. I missed you too,” Kion replied.
As Mufasa's spirit faded away, Kion turned to gaze at the escarpment in the distance.
His gaze sharpened with resoluteness, Kion began to rush towards the escarpment.
When Kion reached Cikha Escarpment, he gazed around him in wonderment.
“Hello?” Kion called.
At once, the clouds in the sky parted, and a lion shimmered into view. He was golden and had a flowing reddish-orange mane. The lion glanced at Kion, fondness in his gaze.
Kion's eyes were wide with astonishment as he gazed up at the lion.
“W-Who are you?” Kion asked, a note of apprehension in his tone.
“Greetings, Kion. I am Askari,” Askari announced.
“Askari. You were leader of the first Lion Guard. I've seen you in cave paintings in the Lair and you helped bring the rain to destroy Scar.” Kion said, his tone growing in amazement and awe.
“Yes, and I know you are the leader of the new Lion Guard,” Askari replied.
“I am. But lately I haven't felt like I have control of the Roar. I don't want to use it in anger again and hurt someone I care about,” Kion revealed.
Askari's expression softened.
“I believe that you are ready, Kion,” Askari said.
“Ready?” Kion questioned.
“Yes, Kion. It is time. Time for you to learn everything the Roar can do,” Askari replied.
== Appearances==
===Characters===
* Cade Sutton as Mhina
*Max Charles as Kion
*Joshua Rush as Bunga
*Diamond White as Fuli
*Bryana Salaz as Anga
*Atticus Shaffer as Ono
*Dusan Brown as Beshte
* Peyton Elizabeth Lee as Rani 
* Hudson Yang as Baliyo / Danyal (cameos)
*Lou Diamond Phillips as Surak (cameo)
*Miki Yamashita as Nirmala
*Vyvan Pham as Ullu
*Ace Gibson as Jivin
*Bailey Gambertoglio as Aminia (cameo)
*Erica Luttrell as Queen Maya (cameo)
*Aaron Daniel Jacob as Kingiza
*James Earl Jones as Mufasa
*Michael Luwoye as Askari
*David Oyelowo as Scar (cameo)
*Christian Slater as Ushari (mentioned)
*Steve Blum as Makucha (mentioned)
*Justin Hires as Reth (mentioned)
*Rob Lowe as Simba (indirectly mentioned)
===Groups===
*The Lion Guard
*Night Pride
===Locations===
*Tree of Life
**Pratibimba 
**Cikha Escarpment
**Willows
**Bamboo Woods
*Pride Lands (mentioned)
**Lair of the Lion Guard (mentioned)
*Outlands (mentioned)
**Outlands Volcano (mentioned)
*Back Lands (mentioned)
===Animals===
*Lions
*Leopons
*Honey Badgers
*Cheetahs
*Eagles
*Egrets
*Hippopotamuses
*Owls
==Trivia==
*Several lines of dialogue in this chapter are taken directly from The Lake of Reflection and Long Live the Queen.
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