Danyal

* Teenager
* Cub

"Gotta explore the world. But I'll be back. I'm tough."
-Danyal
**Danyal** is the son of Surak and Nirmala, and the younger brother of Aminia.

## Appearance

Danyal has a brown colored pelt, with a dark brown mane. His muzzle, underbelly, and paws are a lighter shade than his fur color. Danyal has black ear rims along the top of his ears and dark brown ones on the sides, while his inner ears are pink. Danyal has a dark pink nose.

Like his dad, his black claws are always extended, even the ones on his hind paws. He has blue eyes and is blind in his left eye.

## Personality

Danyal is compassionate, friendly, and wise. He becomes serious when it comes to finishing a task. He holds grudges for a long time.

Danyal is a lion of few words. He usually keeps to himself, though he does prefer being in the company of others to being alone. He is intelligent, sometimes a know-it-all, though he tries not to be. He enjoys sharing his knowledge and is always willing to point animals in the right direction. He is an explorer at heart, wanting to travel to different lands. He believes that, as a lion, nothing can stop him from achieving this goal. He encourages animals to do the same thing, and is confused why some want to stay in the same place for their entire lives. He is polite and respectful of others, sometimes to the point where he is easily pushed around once they can see past his size.

## History

### Backstory

Danyal was born into the royal family of the Tree of Life as the son of Surak and Nirmala, and the second-oldest grandchild of Janna and Dayaalu. As a cub, he became very close to his paternal grandparents, and enjoyed spending time with them. He enjoyed exploring the Tree of Life, and soon became familiar with the lifestyles of each inhabitant.

Danyal witnessed the marriage of his uncle Jivin to Maya, a lioness from the Mwanga Pride. He then witnessed Janna abdicating the throne to Maya, and the births of his cousins, Rani and Baliyo.

In his later years, Danyal became insistent on exploring other lands, which didn't bother his parents. He began to enjoy learning about different cultures and backstories about the past, including stories about the first rulers of the Tree of Life, Bhaee and Bahan. He supported his cousins' relationships with Kingiza and Mansa.

### Legends of the Lion Guard: Protectors of the Pride Lands

#### The Pride Lands Games

Danyal and the rest of the Tree of Life delegation arrive in the Pride Lands a day before the Pride Lands Games. The next day, Danyal competes in the games, and goes third for the Tree of Life team in all events. In the stone throw, he earns three points, and in the stick toss, earns five points.

#### Kion and Nguruma's Birthday

Danyal attends Kion and Nguruma's birthday celebration.

#### A Fragile Hope

Danyal huddles beside his sick uncle. Later, Surak shares a glance with him and Aminia.

### Legends of the Lion Guard: Battle for the Pride Lands

Danyal is now a teenager. He is present outside the Tree of Life when Jivin reveals that Scar has returned. While talking with Baliyo, Rani says that Danyal can train a team in Bamboo Woods. When Scar commences his war on the Pride Lands, Danyal is one of the many animals gathered at the base of Pride Rock.

### Legends of the Lion Guard: The Dark Prophecy

Danyal, along with a few other members of the Night Pride and the Lion Guard, head out on a patrol. They arrive at Rocky Mountains, and Danyal comments that the Tree of Life is special to explore due to its many habitats. Eventually, they fend off Reth's Pride at the Tundra and travel to Marsh Forest. Later, the Lion Guard and Night Pride gather outside the Tree of Life and head out on a patrol of Desert Plains. When Ullu reports an attack on Cek's Flock in Winter Woods, the Lion Guard and Night Pride rush there to fight off the army of predators. Eventually, the army retreats. Some time afterward, Danyal joins the Lion Guard, Night Pride, and Kingiza on a patrol of Bamboo Woods. Shortly thereafter, the Lion Guard, Night Pride, and Kingiza are patrolling Ciso River when Ullu and Cara fly up to them, frantically reporting that Reth and his pride are attacking Saumu's Pounce in Marsh Forest.

Danyal and the patrol immediately heads there and engages in the battle. Soon, Reth is defeated and retreats with his pride, but not before warning that their next attack will be even more morbid.
Later, Danyal is on patrol with the Lion Guard and Night Pride in Marsh Forest when Ullu and Cara report that the army of predators is attacking in two locations. He quickly offers to help fight Makucha's Leap in Bamboo Woods along with Aminia and a few other members of the Night Pride, and without another word, they rush off. Upon arriving, Danyal and Aminia face off against Chungwa and Khurdan; Makucha approaches them, making Fuli worry that they won't be strong enough against three leopards. However, she is overwhelmed with exhaustion and collapses to the ground, which allows Chungwa and Khurdan to greatly injure Aminia and Danyal. Titilayo, Thamani, Nyota, and Haraka protect them, though their efforts do not last long, as Haraka's leg becomes injured, making the others help him away from the battlefield. Makucha's Leap then captures Bunga, but he escapes them and the rest of the army and drives them away with his stink.

Later, Danyal patrols with the Lion Guard and Night Pride at the Tundra and Desert Plains before returning to the Tree of Life and relaxing. During the battle with the army of predators, the Night Pride becomes trapped inside the den, but are soon rescued by Kion. Weeks later, Danyal is one of the Night Pride members that gathers outside the Tree of Life to bid farewell to the Lion Guard, Makini, and Nguruma.

## Family

* **Father:** Surak
* **Mother:** Nirmala
* **Sister:** Aminia
* **Grandmother:** Janna
* **Grandfather:** Dayaalu
* **Great-Grandparents:** Bahan and Bhaee
* **Uncle:** Jivin
* **Aunt:** Maya
* **Cousins:** Rani and Baliyo