Simba/History

## The Lion King

"*Besides, this is my kingdom. If I don't fight for it, who will?*"
—Simba

At the beginning of the film, a newborn Simba lies curled in his mother's paws. For the ceremony, Rafiki cracks open a gourd and makes a red mark on Simba's forehead, naming him the future king. He sprinkles sand on the newborn's head, making Simba sneeze, and then picks him up, presenting the cub to all the animals in the Pride Lands who are gathered to see him.

Simba soon grows into a lively, playful cub. He is the first to wake up one morning, coming to the edge of Pride Rock to see whether it is dawn yet. When he sees that the morning is approaching, Simba runs into the royal den, where all the lions are fast asleep. When he finds his parents asleep at the back, he starts to wake them up. He recalls that Mufasa had promised to show him the kingdom. Finally, Mufasa gets up. Simba happily scampers ahead of his parents, rubbing affectionately against his mother's leg before following his father to the summit .

Simba and his father climb to the top of Pride Rock, where Mufasa explains to his son that everything the light touches is their kingdom. He goes on to say that after his passing, Simba will become the new king. The cub questions the "shadowy place," and Mufasa explains that it is beyond their borders, so he must never go there. As they go on a walk through the Pride Lands, Mufasa tells Simba about the Circle of Life, explaining that every living thing "from the crawling ant to the leaping antelope" is connected and exists together in a delicate balance. While they are walking, Zazu, Mufasa's majordomo, gives the king a morning report. Simba, bored, tries to practice pouncing. After some instruction from his father, Simba succeeds in pinning down Zazu. As Zazu is on his back, a mole pops up beneath him and informs Zazu and Mufasa that there are dangerous hyenas in the Pride Lands. Mufasa leaves to deal with the threat, forbidding Simba to come with him.

Disappointed, Simba returns to Pride Rock to find his uncle Scar moping in the shadows. He gleefully informs Scar that he will one day be the king of Pride Rock, irritating Scar, who unenthusiastically tells Simba to forgive him for not leaping for joy, since he has a "bad back." He then flops down in depression, but Simba, unaware of why his uncle is in a bad mood, asks Scar what he will be once Simba is king. Scar replies, "A monkey's uncle," making Simba laugh. The cub tells his uncle that he is so weird, and Scar tells him that he has "no idea." Scar then asks Simba whether his father had showed him what lies beyond the northern border. Simba admits that he has been forbidden to go there, and Scar acts relieved, claiming that only the bravest lions go there. Objecting, Simba says that he's brave and demands to know what's out there. "Accidentally," Scar lets it slip that there is an elephant graveyard in the shadows, aware that Simba's curiosity will lead him there. Simba is excited at the prospect of an adventure but promises his uncle that he won't visit the graveyard.

Leaving Scar, Simba goes to his best friend Nala, who is being bathed by her mother Sarafina, opposite Simba's own mother Sarabi. Simba tries to get Nala to accompany him somewhere without giving away the location of their adventure. When asked where they are headed by his mother, he lies, saying, "Around the Water Hole." Sarabi sends Zazu to accompany the cubs, much to their dismay.

On the way to the Water Hole, Zazu makes a nostalgic comment about how the two are "betrothed, intended, affianced," meaning that they are set to be mates and rule the Pride Lands together. Since they are just children, they find it weird. The duo then sing the song *I Just Can't Wait to be King*, during which they lose Zazu.

After losing track of Zazu, Simba brags to Nala, claiming that he is a genius for getting rid of Zazu. Nala opposes him, arguing that she deserves credit since she came up with the plan. Simba jumps on her to make her admit that he is the best, but she flips him onto his back, teasing him for getting pinned. Simba tells her to let him go but then jumps on her again, and the cubs roll down a cliff. Nala again flips Simba, but then a geyser beside them shoots skyward, and they realize that they are in the Elephant Graveyard.

After the cubs make a quick exploration, Zazu catches up with them, though Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed soon show up. Simba tries to be brave in front of the hyenas, but, realizing the danger, he makes a frantic effort to escape, with the hyenas in hot pursuit. The cubs manage to get away from the hyenas, but Zazu is caught and thrown into a geyser. Simba and Nala come back to defend Zazu from the hyenas, and Simba tells the hyenas to fight someone their own size. Shenzi suggests that Simba is just the right size, and Simba realizes that he has overstepped his authority. It proves to be too late for the cubs, because the hyenas come for another attack. The cubs flee again and use the backbone of an elephant like a roller coaster that sends them flying from the hyenas. While climbing a mountain of bones, Nala slips, and Simba runs back to save her, swiping Shenzi in the face and helping Nala climb back to the top of the hill. The chase leads to Simba and Nala being cornered in a cave. Simba tries to protect Nala by making a roar to scare the hyenas away, but he is unsuccessful.

Just then, Mufasa arrives and pins down the hyenas, who flee in fear. Simba approaches his father and tries to speak, but Mufasa interrupts, accusing Simba of deliberately disobeying him. Simba quietly apologizes, but Mufasa just says, "Let's go home." Simba follows him, bowing his head, as Nala whispers to him that she'd thought he'd been very brave.

En route to Pride Rock, Mufasa stops on their way through the savanna. Simba bows his head in the grass when he hears that Mufasa wants to speak with him. Zazu then comes to the cubs and says that he will take Nala home. Putting his wings on Simba's shoulders, he wishes him good luck. A little scared, Simba sends one last look at Nala, who leaves. Mufasa then calls Simba to come to him. Going to his father, Simba accidentally steps into his father's pawprint, realizing just how much bigger and wiser Mufasa is.

Once by the king's side, Simba is admonished by his father, who expresses disappointment in him and anger that he'd disobeyed and had put Nala in danger. Simba says that he had been trying to be brave like him, but Mufasa explains that even kings get scared, just as he had been that day because he'd almost lost Simba. No longer so scared, Simba jokes that the hyenas had been even more scared.

In response, Mufasa playfully says, "Because no one messes with your dad!" He then picks Simba up and gives him a playful noogie. After playing together under the sky, Mufasa tells Simba about the Great Kings of the Past, who are looking down on them from the stars. He reminds Simba that whenever he feels alone, the stars will always be there to guide him, as will Mufasa.

The next day, Scar, who had been planning to kill Mufasa and Simba in order to become king, takes Simba with him to the Gorge, saying that Mufasa has a "surprise" for him. Simba begs his uncle to tell him what it is, but Scar walks away after teasing him about practicing his "little roar." Unknown to Simba, Scar signals Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed to start a stampede of frightened wildebeests into the gorge below.

While Simba practices his roar a little louder than usual, the wildebeests charge down the cliff face in the direction of Simba. Terrified, the young cub runs for his life. Meanwhile, Scar, pretending to be terrified and nervous, runs to Mufasa, panting that Simba is in the Gorge. Immediately, Mufasa rushes to the Gorge to save his son, who desperately manages to jump and cling on to a branch while the wildebeests thunder below him. While Mufasa fights through the stampede, one of the wildebeests collides with the branch and breaks it, sending Simba flying into the air. Mufasa leaps up to catch his son, but he drops him upon impact with one of the wildebeests. Becoming stuck in the stampede again, Simba dodges a few wildebeests before again being picked up by Mufasa, who then gets him to safety. Pulled back into the herd, Mufasa fights until he can throw himself onto a ledge, where he clings for dear life.

Seeing this, Simba runs to the top of the cliff. As he reaches the top, he sees his father plummet into the stampede below, not knowing that he'd been thrown by Scar. He cries out and races down to the bottom of the Gorge to find his father's body under the branch that he had been clinging to. Hoping that his father isn't dead, he tries to revive him. Realizing that Mufasa is neither moving nor breathing, he calls for help but starts to cry and crawls underneath his father's forepaw when he realizes that there is no hope.

Scar approaches and manipulates Simba into believing that he is responsible for his father's death, claiming that Simba's roar had caused the stampede and that if it hadn't been for Simba, Mufasa would still be alive. When asked what his mother will think, Simba doesn't know what to do, so Scar tells him to run away and never return. After Simba scampers away, Scar sends Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed to kill the cub.

Panicked, scared, and now chased by the hyenas, Simba runs out of the Gorge and comes out at the top of a steep cliff. With a patch of sharp thorns below, Simba has no choice but to jump down the cliff to escape the predators. He tumbles down and forces himself through, but the hyenas don't follow, thinking that Simba is as good as dead out in the barren desert anyway.

Tired and dehydrated, Simba wanders into the desert. In the burning heat, he eventually faints. Waiting for him to die, vultures circle overhead, but a meerkat named Timon and a warthog named Pumbaa scare away the vultures and save the unconscious cub. They revive him and ask him if he is okay. He shakily replies and starts to wander off. Timon and Pumbaa ask what he'd done to be so sad, but Simba doesn't want to talk about it. Timon and Pumbaa then take the cub into a jungle to teach him to forget the past and live by *Hakuna Matata*. During the song *Hakuna Matata*, the duo have Simba eat bugs, explore his new home, and live without worry. The trio walk across a log, which represents a few years, during which Simba transitions from a cub to an adolescent to a young adult.

Growing up in the jungle, Simba learns to be carefree and forget about his past and responsibilities with Hakuna Matata. Although seemingly happy in the jungle, he feels homesick when stargazing with his friends, recalling what his father had told him years ago when they'd looked up at the stars together. He is upset when Timon's comments mock the Great Kings of the Past. Hurt by his friends' comments, Simba leaves to flop down on a rock in grief over his dead father.

A few days later, Simba hears Timon and Pumbaa yelling for help and immediately rushes to their rescue, finding himself face-to-face with a hungry lioness. After wrestling ferociously with the lioness (with Timon cheering him on), Simba is flipped onto his back, a move that he instantly recognizes as belonging to Nala. When he mentions Nala's name, the lioness becomes surprised and backs away. When she asks who he is, Simba tells her his name, and the lioness is surprised to recognize her childhood friend.

As they rejoice, Simba introduces Nala to his new friends, and she tells Simba that he is the rightful king. Simba rejects his responsibility and refuses to go back, still believing that he is guilty of killing Mufasa. Still, he comforts Nala as she struggles with the reality of him being alive after all these years.

Enjoying a peaceful sunset evening together, the two lions realize that their childhood friendship has blossomed into love. However, that evening, Nala tries to explain to Simba the fate of the Pride Lands under Scar's reign, trying to persuade him to go back, since he is their only hope. Despite her desperation, he refuses. Disappointed with Simba's new behavior, Nala tells him that he isn't the Simba she knows and remembers, to which he admits that he isn't. Then Simba asks Nala if she is now satisfied, and Nala declines, saying that she is just disappointed.

Simba tells Nala that she is starting to sound like his father, to which she replies, "Good! At least one of us does!" Enraged, Simba yells at her and then marches away in a huff. Alone in a grassy field, he yells to the sky at Mufasa for not being there for him when he'd promised years earlier that he would. Simba then labels the blame on himself, hanging his head in shame.

Soon, Simba notices Rafiki singing in a tree. Trying to get away from him, Simba goes to lie down away from the baboon. Rafiki refuses to leave him alone, so Simba asks him who he is. However, in response, Rafiki asks Simba who *he* is. Simba doesn't know anymore, and after Rafiki chants in his ear, the baboon tells Simba that he is Mufasa's boy. Surprised to hear Mufasa's name, Simba chases the wise baboon and asks him if he'd known his father, to which Rafiki corrects Simba and tells him that he *knows* his father. After Simba sadly tells him that Mufasa had died a long time ago, Rafiki tells Simba that he is wrong again and explains to him that Mufasa is still alive. The baboon leads Simba to a stream, and as he remarks that he only sees his reflection, Rafiki tells Simba to look harder. The reflection ripples and becomes Mufasa's face. At the same time, Simba hears Mufasa calling to him from the sky, and Simba looks up to see him again.

Mufasa's spirit appears in the sky, and Simba instantly recognizes him, astonishingly asking, "Father?" In answer, Mufasa accuses his son of forgetting him, to which Simba denies him and asks how he possibly could.

Mufasa tells his son that he has forgotten who he is and his own place in the Circle of Life. He then reminds Simba that he is his son and the one true king. Simba chases Mufasa's disappearing form in the sky, begging him not to leave him, with his father repeating, "Remember." Rafiki approaches Simba again and listens to him discussing how he will have to face his past if he is to return. Rafiki then whacks him on the head with his stick, causing Simba some pain, and teaches him the lesson that even though things are in the past, they can still hurt, but one should learn from them. As Rafiki swings his stick again, Simba dodges it. Rafiki notices this and asks Simba what he is going to do, to which Simba tells the baboon that he is going to take his stick first.

The lion snatches it away from him and throws it into the grass. However, as soon as Rafiki gets it and turns back, Simba has already left to fight Scar and take back his place as the king of the Pride Lands. Overjoyed, Rafiki proceeds to cheer Simba on from a distance, encouraging him to go back.

Arriving back home, Simba is shocked at the dry, barren condition that the once green and fertile land is in. As Simba moves through the Pride Lands, Nala, Timon, and Pumbaa catch up to help him battle Scar. As they make their way to Pride Rock, they find their way blocked by hyenas, and Simba instructs Timon and Pumbaa to divert the hyenas so that he and Nala can slip past them. Simba then tells Nala to look for Sarabi and rally the lionesses while he searches for Scar. He freezes in horror as he hears his mother's name yelled out by Scar, then watches as Sarabi and Scar argue.

Upon seeing Sarabi get struck down by Scar, Simba runs out of hiding to his mother's side. At first, Sarabi mistakes him for Mufasa, but she eventually realizes that it is her son when he tells her that he is home. He and his mother briefly embrace. Simba then confronts his uncle, giving him a choice to either step down from his position or fight, to which Scar promptly refuses. Feeling trapped, Scar resorts to accusing Simba of killing Mufasa, and the young lion doesn't deny it. This news greatly shocks everyone, especially Sarabi.

With Nala and the other lionesses watching, Scar corners Simba on the edge of Pride Rock, mocking him that his father isn't alive to save him. As Simba slips from the edge, lightning starts a fire below the promontory. While Simba clings to the edge desperately for life, Scar remembers seeing Mufasa in a similar position before he'd died. Scar latches his claws into Simba's paws and whispers into his ear that *he* is the one who'd killed Mufasa. Filled with shock and rage, Simba immediately leaps from the edge and pins Scar to the ground. Simba forces his uncle to confess out loud, which leads to a tremendous battle. The hyenas ambush Simba, prompting Nala, the other lionesses, Timon, Pumbaa, and Rafiki to charge in and wipe out the hyenas.

After defeating the hyenas, Simba chases his uncle to the summit of Pride Rock, where he finally corners Scar. The old king pleads for mercy as he puts the blame on the hyenas, unaware that they have heard everything. Fed up with all the lies that his uncle has told him, Simba chooses not to kill Scar, because he doesn't want to become the monster that Scar is. Instead, he spares his life by telling Scar to run away and never return, the same words that his uncle had used when Simba was young. Seemingly obeying Simba's orders, Scar begins to slip away slowly, but he suddenly turns around and throws burning embers into Simba's eyes.

The two lions fight ferociously until Scar delivers a hard smack that knocks Simba to the ground. As Scar leaps to finish Simba off, the young lion thinks quickly and flips Scar over the edge of Pride Rock, sending him tumbling down the cliff to the base of Pride Rock. Simba looks down and sees that Scar has survived the fall, though he is slightly dazed from the attack. However, the hyenas, having had enough of Scar's lies and betrayal from earlier, ignore Scar's pleas for forgiveness and jump on him, devouring him alive amongst the flames that engulf Pride Rock.

As rain falls on the Pride Lands and extinguishes the fire, Simba walks down to greet Sarabi, Nala, Timon, Pumbaa, Rafiki, Zazu, and the rest of the pride. Rafiki rattles his stick to get Simba's attention and motions for him to ascend Pride Rock. Simba then walks over to Rafiki, and as Rafiki bows down to him, Simba embraces him before Rafiki tells him that it is time. Simba then climbs up Pride Rock, and as he reaches the promontory, he looks up at a break in the clouds to see a patch of stars, one of which is shining brightly. Upon hearing Mufasa's voice telling him to "remember," Simba gains courage, confidence, and strength, roaring out over his reclaimed kingdom. The rest of the pride roars back in approval.

Sometime later, when the Pride Lands flourish once again, Simba and his mate Nala, along with their friends Timon and Pumbaa, stand on the promontory of Pride Rock, proudly looking down at the animals who have assembled below Pride Rock. Rafiki then comes in, cradling their newborn cub in his arms, and Simba and Nala watch happily as Rafiki lifts the cub up for all the animals to see.

## The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride

"*I was wrong. You belong here. Let's go home. All of us.*"
—Simba to Kovu

n the second film, all the animals return to Pride Rock to welcome the birth of Kiara, the daughter of Simba and Nala. While the king and queen look on proudly, Rafiki holds their cub up for all the kingdom to see. As Kiara grows up, Simba turns out to be extremely overprotective of her. One time, when Kiara goes off to play, he warns her to stay away from the Outlands and to stay on the path that he has marked for her.

Nala teases Simba about Kiara's likeness to Simba when he was a cub. Simba confesses his feelings to Nala about how much trouble they'd get themselves into, to which Nala pins him and teases him, telling him that he means the trouble that he'd gotten them into. She and Simba then chuckle as they nuzzle each other in a loving manner, and Simba smiles warmly at her. Nala assures him that Kiara will be fine and goes back into the cave, with Simba watching with an unsure expression. However, as soon as Nala is out of earshot, he sends Timon and Pumbaa after Kiara to watch her anyway.

After he realizes that Kiara has sneaked away from her babysitters, he, along with Nala, Pumbaa, Timon, and two Pride Landers, goes out for her, finding her near the outskirts of the Outlands with an Outsider cub named Kovu. Immediately, Simba jumps in front of Kiara, protecting her.

At the same time, Kovu's mother Zira launches herself in front of her son to protect him. Simba snarls at her. Simba is joined by Nala, Timon, Pumbaa and two lionesses for back up. Zira mockingly gives a cover-up for straying into the Pride Lands. Simba orders Zira to take Kovu and get out since they are now finished with their conversation. Zira laughs menacingly and tells Simba that they have barely begun.

Simba then takes Kiara and walks away, sending Nala and the others ahead so he can have a word with Kiara. Simba reminds her that she has to be queen someday, even though she may not want to be. He reminds her of the great Circle of Life. Simba then tells his daughter that they are a part of each other, with Kiara responding, "Hmph!" This makes Simba playfully smile and nudge her. After embracing her, he sings to her that they are one.

Years later, a young adult Kiara pleads with Simba to let her hunt on her own. He promises this to her, but he once again sends Timon and Pumbaa to watch her anyway, thus deliberately breaking his promise. A few hours later, Simba paces nervously on Pride Rock, where Zazu reassures him that Kiara will be fine. Suddenly, Simba notices smoke on the horizon as Zira's plan goes into action. He and Nala race to Kiara, only to find her talking to Kovu.

Simba roars menacingly at Kovu as Kiara reminds him that he has broken his promise, to which Simba, out of fear of losing her again, forbids any more hunting trips for her.

Just then, Rafiki appears and brings up the fact that Kovu has saved Kiara's life. When Simba asks him why Kovu asks to join his pride. Simba initially refuses, but Zazu tells him that his father's law demands all debts be paid. In repayment for his daughter's life, an agitated Simba reluctantly lets Kovu join the pride, but he doesn't allow him to sleep with the pride.

That night, Simba has a nightmare about the stampede in which he had lost his father years ago. In the nightmare, Simba tries to save his father, who is hanging on to a cliff face. As Simba reaches down, he realizes that Scar is looking over him, laughing maniacally. Simba strains to reach Mufasa, but Scar grabs him, allowing Mufasa to slip away from Simba and fall to his death. Simba cries out, then turns on Scar, who morphs into Kovu. Simba reacts with shock before Kovu throws him to his death, which snaps Simba out of his dream. He is frightened at first, but starts to calm down once he realizes that it had simply been a dream. He looks at Nala, who is peacefully sleeping, then goes back to sleep, still uneasy but more relaxed.

The next morning, Simba has a drink at a water hole. Unknown to him, Kovu is behind him, ready to kill. Luckily, Kiara turns up, wanting her hunting lesson, so Kovu is drawn away. That night, Simba looks down on Kiara and Kovu stargazing together and asks Mufasa for guidance. Nala walks up beside him and tells him to trust Kovu more. That evening, Simba lets Kovu sleep with the rest of the pride in the cave, as it is a fairly cold night.

The next morning, Simba walks in on Kovu about to tell Kiara about Zira's plan, telling his daughter that he doesn't want her talking with him, only to say in a much calmer tone that he wants to talk with him. This makes Kiara brighten up, and Simba smiles and winks at her before walking off with Kovu, with Kiara watching from a distance. During the long walk, Simba explains to Kovu how Scar's hatred had led to his demise. As they are walking, Zira, Nuka, Vitani, and the other Outsiders surround them. Zira teasingly asks Simba what he is doing outside "so alone." Zira then congratulates Kovu for bringing Simba with him and adds, "Just like we've always planned."

Feeling betrayed, Simba angrily snarls at Kovu, now believing him to be behind the plan. In response, a scared Kovu denies this and tries to reason with Simba that he really didn't have anything to do with Zira's plan. Simba is then attacked by the Outsiders on Zira's orders. Simba slides down a cliff, and the Outsiders attack. He runs into a gorge and climbs up a dam.

Just as he's climbing, Nuka grabs his ankle, pulling him down. Simba pushes himself up, dislodging logs, which tumble down and crush Nuka to death. This greatly shocks Zira and Vitani. The entire pride mourns the death of their family member. Simba escapes and weakly makes his way back to the Pride Lands, where he manages to whisper to Kiara, Timon, and Pumbaa about what has happened before he collapses due to extreme exhaustion. They help him back to Pride Rock, where he recovers.

When Kovu returns, Simba confronts him, asking why he's come back. Kovu asks for forgiveness, but Simba doesn't believe Kovu. Kiara tries to persuade Simba to listen to Kovu, but he tells her to be silent and then exiles Kovu, to Kiara's dismay.

Kiara then quarrels with her father, pleading with him to reconsider, but Simba replies by forbidding her to leave Pride Rock unescorted, saying that Kovu used her to get to him and that he knows Kovu is following in Scar's pawprints and that he must follow in his father's. Kiara angrily yells at him that he will never be Mufasa. This comment hurts and shocks Simba immensely, as he looks away sadly while Kiara runs into Pride Rock before sneaking away to find Kovu.

That night, rain descends on the Pride Lands, and Simba asks Timon and Pumbaa where Kiara is. Just as he finds out she is missing, Zazu informs him that the Outsiders are on the attack. Simba commands Zazu to find Kiara and assembles the lionesses, ready for battle. When they approach the Outsiders, Simba gives Zira a final chance to go home. Zira tells Simba that she is home and commands her troops to attack.

After a bitter battle, Zira jumps down off her rock, ready to attack Simba herself. Just as they are about to go into a one-on-one duel, Kiara jumps in front of her father, and Kovu jumps in front of his mother. Simba tells his daughter to stay out of the fight, but Kiara tells him that the fight has to stop. Concurrently, Zira tells Kovu to move, and Kovu tells Zira that he won't let her hurt Kiara or Simba. Kiara reminds Simba that they are "one" and asks if he sees any differences between his pride and the Outsiders.

As Simba realizes his daughter's words, the rain stops, and the sun shines down from the clouds. Simba then nuzzles his daughter as they reconcile. Zira orders Vitani to attack Simba, but she refuses to do so and crosses onto his side, as do the rest of the Outsiders. Zira, realizing that she is losing, tries one more time to attack Simba, but as she jumps for him, Kiara leaps in her way and fights her off.

Shocked, Simba jumps down after them just as Zira slips away into the water below. When Zira is gone, Simba reaches his daughter and helps her back up the cliff, where she is hugged by a relieved Nala. When Kiara is reunited with Kovu, Simba apologizes to him, finally admitting that he was wrong. He accepts Kovu and the Outsiders into his pride, and they all return home together.

Back at Pride Rock, Simba, Nala, and all the other lionesses watch as Rafiki blesses the union of Kiara and Kovu. Simba, Nala, and the new couple make their way to the top of Pride Rock and roar over their kingdom, with the rest of the pride roaring back in reply. As Simba looks down proudly at the rejoicing animals who have gathered around Pride Rock, the sky opens up and Simba hears his father's spirit say, "Well done, my son. We are one."

## The Lion King 1 1/2

"*I couldn't have done it without you guys.*"
—Simba to Timon and Pumbaa

During Timon and Pumbaa's first attempt at a new home, they witness Simba's birth ceremony. The two later find a small cave in the Pride Lands, which they live in until Simba and Nala sing *I Just Can't Wait to be King*, driving them out. Although not seen, Simba says, "I'm okay," after the animal pyramid falls down. Later, after Mufasa is murdered by Scar and Simba runs away from the Pride Lands, he wanders into the desert, ridden with guilt and thinking that he killed his own father. Simba collapses out of fatigue and exhaustion, lying under the sun with buzzards circling overhead.

Simba is found by Timon and Pumbaa, who carry him to shade and water and eventually let him live in the jungle with them. Growing up without worries, Simba soon proves to be a difficult cub to handle, and Timon and Pumbaa find it hard to be adoptive parents. Living carefree in the jungle, Simba gets into all kinds of mischief that Mufasa and Sarabi would have never allowed, such as jumping down from dangerously tall trees, swimming down steep and deadly waterfalls backwards, and spinning Timon around like a play toy. He also keeps Timon up all night having to go to the bathroom, wanting a drink of water, etc. After a while, Simba is awakened by a nightmare and begs to sleep with Timon, who begrudgingly agrees.

Months pass, and Simba grows into an adolescent, with half a mane on his head, who seems to beat Timon and Pumbaa at all kinds of alliterative bug-eating contests, including the longest bug belch, slug swallowing, cricket crunching, grub gulping, maggot munching, and the snail slurping contest shown in the film. He has grown a small mane on his head and looks even more hot-headed than as a cub.

After some years pass, Simba grows into a young adult lion who enjoys his life with Timon and Pumbaa in the jungle. Simba has an interesting conversation with Pumbaa about dung beetles before Nala appears and chases Pumbaa, making Simba attack her. He later realizes that it's his old childhood friend. In the "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" sequence, we see that Simba takes Nala on a romantic evening walk around the jungle, unknowingly hurting Timon while the meerkat attempts to split the two lovers apart. After the familiar scene of Simba arguing with Nala about whether or not he should return to the Pride Lands commences, Simba runs off to encounter his father's ghost. Later in the film, when Simba challenges Scar, he is seen several times echoing his role in the original film.

For example, he is seen slipping off the cliff when Scar corners him and later leaping up to force the truth out of Scar about Mufasa's death. Simba is also seen when he chases Scar up Pride Rock and flips him to the ground below. Once the violence is over, Simba thanks Timon and Pumbaa for their help against the hyenas before he climbs Pride Rock and roars at the peak, reclaiming the Pride Lands, much to the joy of Timon, Pumbaa, Ma, and Uncle Max. At the end of the film, Simba is lying down in the jungle water with Pumbaa, Timon, and Ma. A silhouette of Simba also appears in the theater while Timon's Ma rewinds the movie.

## The Lion Guard

### Return of the Roar

"*Yes. Kion is ready. It is time. Time for the Lion Guard.*"
—Simba accepting Kion's role

Simba can first be seen teaching his daughter Kiara about life as a future monarch atop Pride Rock. However, they are interrupted by Kion and his best friend Bunga, who are eventually sent away to play elsewhere by Simba. Not long after this, Simba and Rafiki overhear Kion's roar, and the two come to realize that it is time for him to lead the Lion Guard. When Kion and his best friend Bunga return to Pride Rock, Rafiki leads them and Simba to the Lair of the Lion Guard, where he explains that Scar used to lead the Lion Guard until he lost his powers. Simba then tasks Kion with gathering a new Lion Guard to protect the Pride Lands.

When Simba arrives to meet Kion's team, he reacts in horror to Kion's choice of teammates. He insists that the Guard must be made of lions only and then berates Kion for treating his role as leader like a game. However, after watching Kion and his Guard defeat Janja's clan, Simba realizes that his son was wise to have chosen who he chose, and he congratulates his son on the victory, accepting this new, brilliant assembling of loyal animals.

### The Rise of Makuu

"*I am King. And as King, I know that all animals in the Pride Lands have their own customs. And they need to be respected.*"
—Simba

When Kion worries about the mashindano between Makuu and Pua, Simba tells him that he must respect and recognize other animals' traditions, even if he doesn't agree with them.

Simba, along with his family, The Lion Guard, and several other animals, watch the mashindano. When Makuu wins, Simba steps forward and congratulates him, before thanking Pua for his services as leader of the crocodiles.

### Can't Wait to be Queen

"*Yes. He helped the Pride Lands return to normal after Scar was defeated. Once the elephants returned, all the other animals followed. And the Circle of Life came back into balance. And now Aminifu has completed his part of the Circle of Life.*"
—Simba about an elephant who has passed away

When Kiara and Kion squabble over a tree, Simba approaches and tells Kion to back away, for Kiara is going to serve as queen for the day. When Kion reacts with confusion, Simba gently explains that his presence is needed at a funeral in Kilio Valley for Aminifu, a wise old elephant who has passed away. Though Kiara is unsure of herself in acting as queen, Simba reminds her that he had been nervous to rule the Pride Lands on his own, too.

While Kiara stays behind to watch over the Pride Lands, Simba meets with Nala and Zazu to begin his journey to Kilio Valley. Along the way, he worries over having to give a tribute in the elephant language, and Zazu brags over his own skill in mastering animal languages. Unbeknownst to the trio, they have been spied on by Mzingo, who resolves to keep an eye on the doings of the Pride Landers.

As Mzingo flies away, Simba begins to lament having kingly responsibilities, and Zazu reminds him of the perks of the job, singing *Duties of the King*. After the song, he begins to coach Simba on his elephantese accent.

During an elephantese lesson, Simba loses his patience and roars at Zazu, blowing him into a patch of grass. Nala dashes to her mate's side and reminds him that though he may not be an elephant, he is a king and that it is his duty to carry out this tribute to an old friend.

Eventually, Simba and Nala arrive at Kilio Valley, where they witness the elephant herd placing flowers on Aminifu's body. Though saddened by the passing of his friend, Simba resolves to give a proper tribute. After meeting up with the herd, Simba gives his tribute to the elephants, but instead of saying, "He had good on him," the standard elephantese tribute, he says, "He had poop on him." Though Simba is horrified at this turn of events, the elephants begin to laugh, and Aminifu's daughter, Ma Tembo, explains that her father always used to have poop on him and that it was often the cause of much laughter. She then tells Simba that it is good to remember the fun times.

When Simba and Nala return home, Kiara asks how the tribute had gone, and Nala answers that everything had turned out fine. She then asks how ruling the Pride Lands had gone, and though Kiara begins to stumble over her words, Kion jumps in, proclaiming that Kiara is going to make a great queen someday.

### The Kupatana Celebration

Before the annual Kupatana celebration, Simba compliments Basi's performance to Beshte, who thanks the king and tells him that Basi has been practicing relentlessly. The other members of the Lion Guard express excitement for the upcoming festivities, and Simba explains the importance of Kupatana and how every animal in the Pride Lands meets in peace on that day.

In the midst of the conversation, the Lion Guard overhears a jackal pup being chased in the Outlands. Though Kion is hesitant to intervene, Simba encourages him to save the pup in the spirit of Kupatana. Kion agrees and rushes off.

Later, Simba starts to give his opening speech at Kupatana when he is interrupted by Reirei, who disturbs the festivities with her family. The Pride Landers work together to put a stop to her schemes, and Simba roars to get the jackals to flee. Once Reirei is gone, Kion apologizes for letting them into the Pride Lands, but Simba gently reminds his son that it had been he who had encouraged the rescue of the jackal pup.

### The Mbali Fields Migration

When the gazelles and zebras begin fighting over a depleted grazing ground, Simba suggests that Kion lead the herds to Mbali Fields, a grazing ground on the edge of the Pride Lands. A shocked Kion wonders if he is ready to lead a migration, but Simba assures him that he will do fine.

### Bunga and the King

Simba travels with his family to Mizimu Grove to attend Ma Tembo's herd's concert. Kion is alerted by Ono of antelope being stuck in mud and with his parents permission, leaves to solve the problem. Kiara races ahead of her parents just as a sinkhole appears, luckily Simba is able to throw Kiara over to Nala to safety, but becomes trapped in the sinkhole.

Kion and the Lion Guard arrive at the scene and without thinking, Bunga dives into the sinkhole and ends up trapped there too. Knowing that Kion and the Lion Guard will be able to help, Simba tells Nala and Kiara to go to the concert, due to it being traditional for the royal family to be in attendance. The Lion Guard try to use a large log to help Simba and Bunga escape, but it smashes to pieces when it hits the bottom of the sinkhole.

Bunga notices a tunnel which Simba believes might led to Nandembo Caverns and points this out to Kion, who agrees to meet his father and Bunga there. Simba and Bunga argue when Bunga random picks tunnels, resulting in the two splitting up. Simba finds the right tunnel and goes to find Bunga and manages to find him by hearing him sing Hakuna Matata and joins in. Simba tells Bunga that Timon and Pumbaa sang the song to him all the time he grew up, making Bunga believe that they are brothers. The two hear Timon and Pumbaa's cries and go to them, only to find a large ravine sepreates them from Timon, Pumbaa and the Lion Guard. Working together, Simba and Bunga leap over the ravine and are greeted by a relived Timon and Pumbaa.

Afterwards, Simba along with Kion, Bunga, Timon, Pumbaa, and the rest of the Lion Guard arrives at Mizimu Grove just as the concert finishes. Simba apologizes to Ma Tembo and her herd for missing the concert and, to make up for it, sings "Hakuna Matata" with his family, Bunga, the Lion Guard, Timon, and Pumbaa.

### The Imaginary Okapi

Kion brings Beshte's new friend, Ajabu the okapi, to Pride Rock to meet with Simba and Nala. Kion asks his parents if Ajabu can become a Pride Lander, and the two agree to let him stay in their kingdom as long as he likes.

### Too Many Termites

After Kion notices that there is an excess of termites in the Pride Lands, he comes to Simba, wondering what he should do. Simba suggests that the team ask the aardwolves about the problem. When Fuli questions what an aardwolf is, Simba explains that aardwolves keep the termite population under control. Kion asks where they can find the aardwolves, and Simba suggests that they look in old aardvark dens, since that is the aardwolf's favorite place to sleep.

Fuli and Kion immediately begin to suspect that the problem is their fault, and Kion learns from his father that aardwolves strongly resemble hyenas. This confirms Kion's fears, and he admits to his father that he had used the Roar of the Elders to drive the aardwolves out of the Pride Lands. Simba gently tells his son that he has made a mistake and encourages him to do his best to fix the problem.

### Baboons!

Simba and Nala leave Kiara in charge of presiding over the Royal Buffalo Wallow.

### Lions of the Outlands

When Kion goes into the Outlands to help Jasiri reason with the Outsiders, he encounters Nuka and Kovu, the sons of Zira. He is confused that the Outsiders are not welcome in the Pride Lands and reasons that his father would welcome them into the kingdom if they asked. Nuka asks who his father is, and Jasiri reveals that he is the son of Simba.

When Kion meets Zira, Nuka reveals that Kion is Simba's son. Zira moves off to speak privately to Kion, but Kion disagrees with her assertion that lions should rule over all animals. This causes Zira to note the similarities between Kion and his father.

### The Lost Gorillas

The Lion Guard meets two gorillas named Hafifu and Majinuni, who tell Kion that they're looking for a lion named "King Zimba." Bunga informs the gorillas that Kion is Simba's son, and Majinuni explains that they are here to deliver a message from their father, King Sokwe.

Together, the Lion Guard leads Hafifu and Majinuni to Pride Rock, where Kion relates the situation to his father, Simba. To Kion's surprise, Simba agrees that the message is important and explains that every wet season, King Sokwe informs Simba if their two kinds are still at peace or not.

Just then, the brothers come before Simba, but when prompted to relay their message, they admit that they have forgotten it. With this news, Simba is forced to ask Kion to deliver the gorillas back home and find out what Sokwe's message is. Kion wonders if the brothers should return home themselves and bring back the message again, but Simba points out that peace with the gorillas should not rely on Hafifu and Majinuni.

When the Lion Guard returns to the Pride Lands, they report back to Simba at Pride Rock. Simba prompts the Lion Guard to relate Sokwe's message, to which Kion says, "Kuishi ni kucheka," as Bunga throws a snowball over Simba's head. Instead of being angry, Simba laughs and comments that no one delivers a peace message quite like King Sokwe.

### The Trail to Udugu

When Kiara manages to track Kion faster than ever before, Simba comments on the success, and Nala declares that the cubs are ready for a special day. Together, the two descend Pride Rock to speak with their cubs, who are still playing and squabbling. Nala steps forward and tells Kiara and Kion that they are ready to accompany her on the Trail to Udugu, which is a special ceremony for royal siblings. Simba assures Kion that in the absence of their leader, the Lion Guard will be lead by Simba.

In the Lair of the Lion Guard, Kion informs his team of Simba's intention to lead them while he is away. He then bids them goodbye and leaves them to wait for Simba. Though Ono begins to anxiously preen and fret over the state of the Lair, Bunga assures him that he has nothing to worry about, and sings "When You're Running With the King", in which he explains what Simba is like.

Simba happens to overhear the song and informs Bunga that his performance had gotten one thing right: that Simba is excited to lead the Lion Guard. Simba then gathers the Lion Guard for their morning patrol and leads them out of the Lair.

On the morning patrol, the Lion Guard tries to correct Simba on his route, but he insists that they take his chosen path. Though hesitant, the Guard agrees to the king's wishes, and the team veers off in a new direction.

Later, Ono spots a mudslide heading toward a nest of ostrich eggs, but he is cut off in his report by Simba, who finishes the report for him. He then instructs the Guard to follow him while he moves a log in the way of the falling mud. Though confused, the team follows him, and Simba orders them to jump from rock to rock in order to avoid getting caught in the mud. Beshte comments that Kion usually has him walk through the mud, but Fuli reminds him that Simba is in charge, not Kion.

Beshte does as Simba commands, but accidentally slips on the rocks and falls into the mud, carrying Bunga, Fuli, and Ono with him. The four tumble down the slope and dislodge Simba's log, causing it to roll toward the ostriches' nest. Before the log can reach the bottom of the slope, Beshte leaps forward and stops it from crushing the eggs, but Ono warns that the eggs will now be caught up in the mud. Sure enough, the eggs are swept away by the mud, and the Lion Guard rushes to save them. They return the eggs to the ostriches, who thank them for their help.

After the rescue, Simba expresses elation at the Guard's first mission with the king and wonders what their next challenge will be. As he starts to lead the Guard further into the kingdom, Beshte comments that at least he hadn't been mad about their nearly losing an ostrich egg, to which Fuli counters that it's not Beshte's fault that he can't jump like a lion. She then asks why they are a team if they are all going to be tasked with doing the same thing, which prompts Bunga to remind her that Simba is the king and knows what he's doing.

Just then, Ono flies up and starts to report trouble when he is interrupted by Simba, who declares that a herd of gazelles need their help. The Lion Guard then follows his lead down the slope to rescue the gazelles.

Ono reports that the gazelles are trying to reach a patch of grass above an unstable pile of rocks. Simba comments that the rocks will fall if the gazelles try to ascend them and then shouts for the Lion Guard to follow him. As Simba races away, Beshte asks the others if they should warn Simba that gazelles are easily spooked, but Bunga assures him that Simba know what he's doing.

The team streaks across the plains toward the gazelles, who shy away at the Guard's rapid advance. The herd begins to climb the rock pile, dislodging stones, and Ono yells for the Lion Guard to halt their approach. Simba, however, continues to run and gets his tail stuck underneath a massive boulder. The rest of the Lion Guard gathers around him, and Simba assures them that he is uninjured.

Just then, the Lion Guard overhears ostriches crying out in fear, and Ono reports that the gazelles are stampeding toward the ostriches' nest. The Lion Guard turns to Simba for instructions, and he orders them to leave him behind and save the ostrich eggs instead. Just then, a large boulder tumbles down from the top of the rock pile, and Fuli heroically saves Bunga from being crushed.

After the rescue, Fuli declares that they cannot leave Simba, for he is in danger from the falling rocks. Simba gets the Guard's attention and tells them that he has been ordering them around all day when he should have figured out how their team works. He then asks what they would do if Kion were in Simba's place, and Fuli explains that she and Ono would go after the herd, while Beshte and Bunga would stay behind to assist the king. Simba submits to these orders and starts the Lion Guard's chant as the team races away to fulfill their separate duties.

Together, Fuli and Ono catch up to the gazelles, and Fuli orders Ono to speak with Swala, the leader of the gazelles, while she calms the ostriches. Both members are successful, and the gazelles pull to a halt before they can trample the ostrich eggs. At the same time, Beshte and Bunga work together to free Simba. No sooner have they freed him when the rock pile begins to collapse, and the three escape to safety, where they reunite with Fuli and Ono. Simba compliments the Lion Guard on their success and declares that Kion would be proud of them.

At Pride Rock, Simba reunites with his mate and cubs. He asks whether they had found Udugu, and the cubs explain that they had learned to work together as brother and sister. Kion then questions how Simba had fared with the Guard, and Simba admits that working with Kion's team had helped him find Udugu as well. He stresses the importance of Udugu and reminds the cubs that they will one day be responsible for the kingdom of the Pride Lands.

### Ono's Idol

Simba arrives with his mate, Nala, to praise the legendary eagle Hadithi, who is visiting the Pride Lands. He and Nala invite Hadithi to a Royal Mud Print Ceremony, in which he will preserve his talon marks in the mud forever alongside those of other heroes.

However, during the ceremony, Hadithi admits that he had abandoned Ono to danger, and the Lion Guard races to the rescue. After Ono is saved, Ono is honored with the ceremony instead.

### The Savannah Summit

The Lion Guard is playing Baobab Ball when Mtoto approaches and informs the Lion Guard he heard via his infrasound that several important Pride Landers are heading toward Pride Rock. Kion realizes that it is time for the Savannah Summit, an important yearly event in which leaders in the Pride Lands discuss how they will proceed during the dry season. No sooner has he revealed this when Ono spots Makuu en route to the Summit. Kion deduces that Makuu must be trying to spoil the event, and he and the Lion Guard take off to thwart the danger and warn Simba.

Once at Pride Rock, Kion tackles Makuu. Makuu protests that he had been invited and Simba confirms to Kion that he had invited Makuu to Pride Rock himself. With Simba's support, Makuu promises to take his duties seriously, much to the discomfort of the other Pride Lander leaders. Kion attempts to convince his father that Makuu is untrustworthy, but Simba insists that all animals must be treated equally in the Pride Lands, no matter their past transgressions. He then tasks Kion with watching over the event. Together, the party proceeds to Mizimu Grove, with Simba and Zazu singing "Welcome to the Summit, in which they stress the importance of equality and unity.

Later, Mtoto informs the Lion Guard that Makuu is yelling at Bupu at Pride Rock. The team rushes to Pride Rock, where Kion tackles Makuu to the ground. Simba approaches, furious, and exclaims that Bupu and Makuu had been about to come to an agreement about sleeping situations for their respective species. Makuu accuses the other Pride Landers of not trusting him. He then stalks off, enraged, with Simba calling after him desperately. Simba then turns on Kion, angrily explaining that he had included Makuu in the Summit to gain his trust and include the crocodiles in their proceedings. Kion insists that Makuu is dishonest, but Simba accuses Kion of having ruined the Summit, not Makuu. He then leaves to salvage what he can of the Summit at Mizimu Grove.

Later that day, Simba watches as Kion lies to the Summit that Makuu had fallen into a pit and lost his life in the struggle. A horrified Twiga and Vuruga Vuruga exclaim that they had never intended for Makuu to get hurt, only to fall into a pit of rotten fruit. Just then, Makuu reveals himself and announces to the gathered animals that he had come to the Summit with the intention of helping his float and the Pride Lands, but had only received distrust and hostility. Simba and the other animals fear Makuu's wrath, but the crocodile merely prompts Simba to let the Summit go on. With negotiations reinitiated, Simba compliments Kion for his work.

### The Rise of Scar

Kion talks to Simba about his concerns on Ma Tembo, who has been unsuccessful in her search for water, but Simba assures his son that life is full of responsibilities and that one must face them head-on. Simba and Kion then sing *Path of Honor*, during which they discuss the joys and burdens of being leaders.

Some time later, Simba is present for Makini's official introduction to the royal family. He then looks on as Kiara and Makini head off together to help Ma Tembo look for water. Simba also appears amidst the crowd of animals following Ma Tembo as she searches for a water source.

### Let Sleeping Crocs Lie

After the Lion Guard accidentally wakes Makuu's float from their hibernation, Makuu goes to speak with Simba about new sleeping arrangements. Makuu meets Simba on Pride Rock about the water situation. Ono is called forward to help spy out a new water hole for the crocodiles, but while overlooking the Pride Lands, he sees that Makuu's followers have invaded the water holes. Simba starts to blame Makuu for the pandemonium, but Makuu insists that whoever is leading his float has defied a direct order from their leader. He tries to leave in order to settle the situation, but Simba orders him to let the Lion Guard deal with the problem instead. Begrudgingly, Makuu agrees, and Kion leads the Lion Guard to the rescue.

Later that day, Simba attends the mashindano between Makuu and one of his float members, Kiburi. Presently, Ono grows tired of the violence and flies away from the mashindano to avoid watching the fight. As he hovers over the battlefield, he notices several crocodiles leaving the event. Ono realizes that the crocodiles are attempting to ambush Simba, and he hastens to warn Kion of the danger. Just in time, the Lion Guard arrives and thwarts the crocodiles' efforts to assassinate Simba. Simba overhears the fight and arrives to find Kiburi's lackeys defeated. He studies the crocodiles and recognizes them as being too dim-witted to have come up with such a scheme on their own. No sooner has Simba realized this when Makuu defeats Kiburi in the mashindano, and Kiburi relinquishes the victory. However, when he stands up, Kiburi declares to the onlookers that his followers have killed Simba and that he is now the ruler of the Pride Lands.

Simba interrupts Kiburi's speech, and Kiburi realizes that the Lion Guard has outsmarted him. Makuu approaches Simba and assures him that he had had no knowledge of Kiburi's scheme, to which Simba defers Kiburi's punishment to Makuu. Makuu declares that Kiburi is no longer a part of the float, so Simba takes back over, banishing Kiburi and his lackeys from the Pride Lands.

Later, Ono laments having caused Makuu's float to awaken early. Though the rest of the Lion Guard attempts to reassure him, Ono refuses to accept their comfort and goes before Makuu to apologize. At first, Makuu seems to be growing angry, but then he forgives Ono, much to the egret's relief. Simba says that everyone makes mistakes. He then asks Makuu if this is the new "crocodile way," to which Makuu says that perhaps it is.

### The Ukembusho Tradition

Simba arrives with his Nala and Kiara, as well as the lionesses of his pride, for the Ukumbusho Tradition in Mizimu Grove. However, in the midst of the ceremony, a horde of bees attacks the elephants, chasing them from the grove. Kion orders his team to chase down the elephants before they can hurt anyone, and the Lion Guard takes off to halt the stampede.

After the bees are driven away, Ma Tembo apologizes to Simba for panicking. When Makini volunteers to collect more yellow fruit for paint for the elephants' sunbursts, Kion suggests continuing the ceremony without any paint. Ma Tembo protests that it is difficult for elephants to break with tradition, but Simba tells her that this could simply be a new tradition for the elephants of the Pride Lands. Ma Tembo then agrees to the new plan, and the Ukumbusho Tradition continues in a new vein.

### Timon and Pumbaa's Christmas

Kion speaks to his family about partaking in a Christmas celebration for Timon and Pumbaa. Nala and Kiara quickly agree to the proceedings, but Simba, shows little interest in attending. With some persuasion from his mate and daughter, Simba eventually agrees, feeling that he owes it to Timon and Pumbaa for their help over the years. That night, Simba and his family attend Bunga's celebration rehearsal. Simba questions Bunga as to what they need to do in order to practice for the show, but Bunga remains unsure as to where he should begin.

At sunrise, Kion expresses satisfaction with the animals' performances, but Bunga declares that they still need more practice. Ma Tembo points out that they will never be able to live up to Bunga's expectations, and Simba agrees. The group starts to break up and leave, but Kion calls them back. Simba questions his son as to why Christmas is so important, and Bunga explains that he wants to make up for his uncles' good deeds over the years. This convinces Simba to devote himself back to the cause, and he calls the others back to continue practice. The next day, Simba partakes in the *The Twelve Ways of Christmas* performance.

### The Morning Report

At Pride Rock, Simba expresses concern that Zazu is late for his Morning Report, as he has never exhibited such behavior before. This leads the Lion Guard to inquire about Zazu's whereabouts.

That night at Pride Rock, having been rescued from Janja's clan by the Lion Guard, Zazu delivers his Report to Simba.

### The Golden Zebra

Due to a severe drought, the Lion Guard is forced to break up a fight between Twiga's herd and Vuruga Vuruga's herd. Kion takes the problem to his father, Simba, who questions Rafiki on how past kings have dealt with a water shortage. Rafiki is doubtful that the paintings of the past will reveal anything to him, though one such painting depicts a king leading the Pride Landers to a mysterious watering hole.

Makini recognizes the watering hole and explains that she has seen it before in a neighboring kingdom, the Back Lands, and that it belongs to a herd of zebras. Simba deduces that the herd must belong to Dhahabu, and instructs Kion to ask the zebras for permission to use the watering hole in exchange for whatever boon they desire.

### The Scorpion's Sting

While celebrating Kumbuka, Simba is stung by Sumu the scorpion, and quickly becomes very ill. Rafiki instructs the Lion Guard to retrieve some volcanic ash from the Outlands, asserting that it will draw out the venom. The Lion Guard brings back the ash, and Rafiki uses it to heal Simba.

### The Wisdom of Kongwe

Kion and Simba consult Mufasa's spirit about the troubling return of Scar. Though Mufasa has never experienced the return of an evil spirit, he assures his family that the strength to defeat Scar lies in themselves, as well as in the rest of the Pride Lands. As Mufasa's spirit departs, Kion questions his father as to whether Mufasa had been referring to a specific animal, and Simba comments that he has someone in mind.

At Pride Rock, Rafiki tasks Makini with finding Kongwe, who is the oldest and wisest animal in the Pride Lands. Beshte comments that Kongwe lives near the Urembo River, which is a half-day's walk from Pride Rock. Simba worries that this is too long of a delay, but Fuli volunteers to lend her assistance in order to speed up the trip.

That evening at Pride Rock, Kongwe advises Simba and Kion to be patient. Kongwe then assures Simba and the Lion Guard that good always triumphs over evil in the end.

### The Fall of Mzimu Grove

At Mizimu Grove, Rafiki and Simba announce Makini's mpando mpaya. In the midst of the celebration, the army of Scar attacks, and the Pride Landers rise up to defend themselves. The battle pauses when Scar appears in the flames and threatens to overtake the entirety of the Pride Lands. Frightened by Scar's unexpected appearance, the remaining Pride Landers flee Mizimu Grove.

Kion uses the Roar of the Elders to defeat the Outlanders, while Simba deliberates what to do with Ma Tembo. He approaches the Pride Landers once the Lion Guard has calmed them and admits that he has had knowledge of Scar's return for some time. The Pride Landers disapprove of his dishonesty, though Ma Tembo notes that she understands why he'd kept it a secret. The herds deliberate whether they should leave the Pride Lands, and Simba tells them to inform him of their decision the following morning at Pride Rock.

At Pride Rock the next morning, Kion interrupts Simba's somber opening statement and implores the Pride Landers to follow him to Mizimu Grove before they decide to leave the kingdom. The herds follow Kion to Mizimu Grove, where Makini's baobab tree seed has survived the fire. This inspires the Pride Landers to remain in the kingdom and work together to defeat Scar.

### Battle for the Pride Lands

After many months of battling the spirit of Scar and his army, Simba approaches Kion and his Lion Guard, who are now adolescents. He compliments them for their victory over Scar's army, but proceeds to inform them that their defensive strategies aren't stopping the army. Because of this, Simba declares total war on the Outlands to put an end to Scar's terror. Although Kion questions whether or not Scar can be defeated, Simba assures him that once Scar's army is dead, he will be powerless and unable to threaten the Pride Lands.

The following day, after all the Pride Landers are assembled, Simba asks Kion to lead the battle against the Outlanders, remaining confident that he can defeat them. Later, Mzingo's flock makes an assault on Pride Rock, engulfing it in flames and trapping Simba, Nala, and Kiara on the peak. Ono manages to escape the flames and helps Anga and Hadithi rescue the royal family.

Moments later, the ghost of Scar emerges from the smoke and taunts Simba and claims that Kion died in the fire. However, Kion emerges from the flames unscathed. Scar disappears as the fire dies down, but the Pride Landers grow concerned about their chances against Scar. Janja approaches with some advice on how to defeat Scar. Through persuasion from Makuu and Kion, Simba listens to Janja's advice to defeat Scar, which involves Kion using his most powerful Roar of the Elders in the volcano to overwhelm Scar's spirit with the flames and destroy him forever.

The next day, after the final battle between the Pride Landers and the Outlanders, Simba, Nala, and Kiara go to Rafiki, who informs them that the venom in Kion's scar (which he received from Ushari during the battle) could corrupt him if left untreated. This horrifies the family. However, Rafiki informs them that Kion must go to the Tree of Life to seek healing. Simba and Nala allow the Lion Guard to journey out of the Pride Lands. Later, Simba bids his son goodbye and tells Fuli to bring his son home safe.

### Return to the Pride Lands

Kion returns to Pride Rock, fully healed, to his parents' joy. The two explain what had happened in Kion's absence, including their battle with the Outsiders, with Simba concluding that Kiara and Kovu will be his successors to Pride Rock.

Simba is later shown attending the Battle of the Lion Guards, in which Vitani gains the role as leader of the Pride Lands' Lion Guard. Later, Simba and the Pride Landers gather around the Tree of Life for Kion's coronation and marriage to Rani.