Return to the Pride Lands

Writer
 Season
 Episode
 Next

―Rafiki**[src]** | ”

**"Return to the Pride Lands"** is the seventh episode of Season 3 of *The Lion King: Revisited*.

## Synopsis

When the Lion Guard returns to the Pride Lands, they discover Vitani has formed her own Lion Guard in their absence.

## Plot summary

The Lion Guard enters the Outlands, where they run into Madoa. Madoa, who has been in hiding with the rest of Jasiri's clan, explains that Zira's invasion of the Pride Lands has already begun. Mzingo arrives and agrees to help, per Jasiri's request.

Just then, Anga spots Zira's son, Kovu, standing on Pride Rock. Zira's daughter, Vitani, arrives with a strange pride of lionesses and launches into battle against the Lion Guard. With the help of Mzingo and his parliament, the Lion Guard manages to distract Vitani's scout, Tazama. Kion is about to use the Roar of the Elders to finish off Vitani and her pride when Kiara appears with Kovu and explains that the Outsiders have joined the Pride Landers. Though confused, Kion halts his attack.

Back at Pride Rock, Kion reunites with his parents, Simba and Nala. Rafiki approaches and comments that Makini is missing. When Kion explains that Makini had chosen to stay at the Tree of Life to be Rani's Royal Mjuzi, Rafiki states that Janna had been right about Makini's future all along.

Afterwards, Rafiki explains how Zira's pride had changed allegiance due to Kiara and Kovu's intervention. However, Zira had clung to her hatred, and it had destroyed her. The Lion Guard then leaves to greet old friends and family around the kingdom.

That night, Kion gazes up at the stars, which catches Kiara's notice. Kion explains to Kiara that her relationship with Kovu has reminded him of his old friend, Rani, who is still at the Tree of Life. Kiara tells Kion that he can go back to the Tree of Life someday, as their parents would understand. Kion remains unsure.

The next morning, the Lion Guard enters the Lair of the Lion Guard, only to find that Vitani and her pride are already within. Vitani argues that she should lead the Lion Guard, as she is the sister of the future king, but Kion argues that, as the future queen's brother, it is his duty to lead the Lion Guard. Just then, Laini approaches, begging for help, and both Lion Guards rush off to assist her.

They follow Laini to where Thurston is stuck in a hole. The two Lion Guards argue over who should rescue Thurston, but Azaad merely approaches Thurston and tells him to back out of the hole. Thurston does so, and Kion comments that they must sort out their problems in order to avoid quarreling. Thurston suggests a competition to determine which team is better, and both Lion Guards agree to the challenge.

Later, Rafiki announces the Battle of the Lion Guards to a crowd of Pride Landers. He explains that there will be five competitions to determine who is the fiercest, strongest, fastest, keenest of sight, and bravest in the Pride Lands.

The first competition is a battle of strength between Beshte and Imara, in which they must each push a rock with an elephant on top to the finish line. Though Beshte initially has the upper hand, he has to pause and roll around in the mud due to a severe sunburn, which allows Imara to win.

The next competition is a race. Fuli allows Kasi to run ahead, but streaks to the finish line before her.

Next, Tazama challenges Anga to find Laini, who is hiding in a dark cave. Anga struggles to see in the dark, allowing Tazama to spot Laini first and win the contest.

Finally, Bunga challenges Shabaha to beat him in an obstacle course and be the first to reach a baobab fruit that is hanging from a tree. Bunga manages to win, as Shabaha hesitates at the daunting challenges.

Since the two teams have tied, Ono announces that the win will be determined by Kion and Vitani's challenge. Vitani calls for a mashindano, or a physical fight. Kion is appalled and warns her that she does not stand a chance against the Roar, but Vitani asserts that she can be the fiercest without the Roar. This causes Kion to recall Askari's statement that only one who can let go of the Roar can truly master it. Realizing that Vitani is the true leader of the Lion Guard, Kion relinquishes his team's duties to Vitani and her pride. Vitani is then able to use the Roar of the Elders, as she is now the protector of the Pride Lands.

Askari appears in the clouds overhead and praises Kion for his decision. He adds that Kion has truly mastered the Roar, but Kion counters that he is no longer the leader of the Lion Guard. To this, Askari reminds him that the Tree of Life needs the Roar's protection as well. The rest of Kion's Lion Guard agrees to protect the Tree of Life alongside Kion.

After Kion's decision, Vitani questions Kion on what it means to master the Roar, and Kion demonstrates by picking up Pride Rock with the power of the Roar, which amazes Vitani.

## Voice cast

### Starring

* Max Charles as **Kion**
* Lacey Chabert as **Vitani**
* Joshua Rush as **Bunga**
* Diamond White as **Fuli**
* Dusan Brown as **Beshte**
* Fiona Riley as **Binga**
* Bryana Salaz as **Anga**
* Atticus Shaffer as **Ono**
* Khary Payton as **Rafiki**
* Rachel Crow as **Imara**
* Sabrina Carpenter as **Shabaha**
* Sophie Reynolds as **Tazama**
* Savannah Lee Smith as **Kasi**
* Khary Payton as **Rafiki**
* Matthew Broderick as **Simba**
	+ Rob Lowe as **Simba** (understudy)

## Appearances

### Locations

* Outlands
* Pride Lands
	+ Pride Rock
	+ Chakula Plains

### Organizations and titles

* Laini's group
* Lion Guard
* Majordomo
* Ma Tembo's herd
* Pride Landers
* Royal Mjuzi
* Ruler of Pride Rock
* Simba's pride
* Night Pride (mentioned)

## Trivia

* When *The Lion Guard* version of this episode created a slight inconsistency with *The Lion King II: Simba's Pride*, this was fixed for *Revisited*, in which Rafiki states that Zira already begun her plot to have Kovu kill Simba before *Lions of the Outlands*.

## References

1. ↑ As depicted in *Love Will Find a Way*.
2. ↑ Setting up *Epilogue: An Important Coronation*.