Seasons May Change

**Seasons May Change** is the first episode of Season 5.

## Synopsis

Seasons have passed, and many things have changed. Some things for the better, some things for the worse.

## Script

Seasons have passed since the Ujina Pride had hauled their attacks upon the Tree of Life, and things are, mostly, peaceful now in the Lands. Kion and his peers are all young adults now, while Feliks, Polina, Pasha and Naba are all now teenagers. In the Pride Lands, rogues have come and left, with two brothers Kosey and Kibwe, illegitimate sons of Simba, having left. Jira, Tiifu’s younger sister, had left with them. Kopa, Simba and Nala’s eldest long lost son, had sent a message that he was ok. He had left on his own record, but that was a story for another time. Simba and Nadra did have that litter that consisted of a boy and girl, Chaka and Shani. However, Nadra had now been exiled for over-hunting. It was unsure whether she had actually committed the crime, even though her family knew that she didn’t, however Simba was forced by some of the herds to exile her. Simba had now become hollow and closed off. Not long after that happened, Simba had abdicated, and Kovu and Kiara took the throne. Things were still messy though, and Naba offered to help. Simba, due to the events, had seemed to forgotten his older cubs in favour of Chaka and Shani. Naba now wanted to prove to his father that he was more mature now, and would pay a little more attention to him.

Kovu and Kiara were also now expecting their first litter. It had also seemed that more couples were coming together, with Vitani x Tiifu, while Zuri had chosen to remain single for now. Babu and Tazama had a new litter, with one son named Samahani. Imara and Zuri had gotten themselves pregnant via the same rogue. Kasi has fallen in love with Rombo, Mheetu and Tama’s son and Zuri’s foster brother. They were expecting a new litter as well. Shabaha had fallen in love with Rozi, and Shabaha was now pregnant with their cubs via a rogue. In the Tree of Life, Kion and Rani were still the rulers, maintaining a good friendship while Goshant and Rani and Baliyo and Kion all became proper mates. Kion and Baliyo decided that they wanted to have cubs, and Rani offered to carry Kion’s. They decided that whatever cub they would have would be the future ruler, since Goshant was unsure if he wanted to have cubs. Baliyo had mated with Xolo, and she would give the cub to them afterwards. Surak and Nirmala had their cubs as well, a boy and girl named Jabari and Mandara. Mjanja has also given birth to two daughters, Tupa and Mbali. Spotty has given birth to a son and daughter named Ziwa and Dinka. Wavivu has also given birth to a son, Damu. Farasi has given birth to a daughter, Kosa (F). Kosa (F)’s father, was Kovu. Zira had asked Farasi to mate with Kovu, to give him a strong and worthy heir. Farasi didn’t want to raise a cub, and so she had left her daughter in the Pride Lands. The Royal Family decided to raise her, and tell her the truth when she was older.

The Lion Guard also have good news. Unfortunately, Fuli had decided to leave the Tree of Life, alongside Azaad. She had never really liked it, and had only returned due to momentary excitement. Fuli decided not to return to the Pride Lands though, instead she and Azaad travelling the world, going on races. They decided to only return to Azaad’s territory from time to time. Bunga and Binga had become mates, and were expecting a child as well. Besthe and the hippo Pumzika were as well, and were expecting a little hippo to join their family too. Anga had become official mates with Mandhari, and were expecting a chick. Ono and Makini had both decided to remain single, but wouldn’t mind raising a child in the future. Ono had now also officially became a majordomo to Kion alongside Ullu, who didn’t mind the extra help.

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Kion yawned as he looked over the border towards the Pride Lands. He hadn’t visited it since after the Ujina Pride had attacked. He had come alone, as everyone else was with their mates who had very young cubs (like SurakxNirmala and Mjanja) or about to have them like BungaxBinga or BesthexPumzika. He didn’t want to leave Rani or Baliyo all alone, but they had reassured him that everything was ok. A visit was long overdue anyways, with all that had happened, and Kion not being able to say goodbye to his mother. He didn’t know when the next time it would be when he visited, possibly when his own offspring were cubs.

“It does feel good to be back at my old home.” Kion smiled, as he allowed the wind to go through his mane. He walked towards Pride Rock, greeting any and every animal he saw. “The Pride Lands hopefully seem to be ok when the Dry Season will come.”

”Who are you!” A lioness growled at Kion. Kion looked at her. He didn’t recognise her, but she seemed to be one of the former outsiders.

”Kijiko, it’s all alright.” A teenager lion said, as he came in between Kion and Kijiko. “Kijiko, this is Kion, my older brother. Kion, this is Kijiko.”

”Oh, sorry for growling at you, your majesty.” Kijiko gave an awkward smile. “I didn’t recognise you. You look so much older!”

”It’s ok.” Kion smiled back. “And thanks.”

“Let’s go back to Pride Rock, everyone will be waiting for you.” Naba announced, as the three of hem began to walk Pride Rock. Kijiko walked ahead, while Kion and Naba walked behind.

”You have changed a lot, Naba.” Kion looked at his brother, confused. “When you were a cub, you were more boisterous and mischievous. Now, you seem so different.”

”I think?” Naba looked at his brother. “You heard what happened. I think this is the Naba dad wants, even though I miss the other Naba. Wow, this is getting weird with all these Nabas!”

”I’m sorry about that” Kion said to his brother. The three made it back to Pride Rock. Lions all around Kion greeted him, some he knew for a long time and some he had only met a few times. He walked deeper into Pride Rock, where the Royal Family slept. He saw Simba, with two little infants in his paws, while a pregnant Kiara lay in Kovu’s mane.

”Father.” Naba began, as he walked up to Simba. “Kion is here. You may want to greet your son.”

”Kion…” Simba grumbled, as Kion walked up to him, nuzzling him.

”Hey, dad.” Kion looked down at Simba. “I’m sorry about what happened with mom. I hope she is ok though. No one knows where she is? And these two must be Chaka and Shani! Hey little ones, I’m your big brother.”

”Yeah, pretty much.” Kiara replied.

“Oh, Kiara!” Kion ran up to Kiara. “Are you ok? I hope your cubs are not causing you too much stress like we did as cubs.”

“Don’t worry, they are not, for now.” Kiara smirked, as she turned to Kovu. “They are Kovu’s cubs as well.”

”Oh, yeah!” Kion looked at Kovu. “I hope so too.”

”So what do we do now?” Naba asked, walking other to them.

“I am here only for the rest of the day.” Kion stated, which made Kiara and Naba frown. “Oh, come on guys! Rani and Xolo are both pregnant too, so I need to make sure they are ok. I practically ran most of the way here. I’ve already spoken to the herds and other animals.”

”I guess.” Naba replied, before getting up. “Well, you said I’m not like my old self.” Naba grinned. “So let’s change that: why don’t we play a game of baobab ball? It will be fun!”

The four of them laughed as they walked outside. It was mainly Kovu, Kion and Naba that played, while Kiara chose to watch from afar, but didn’t mind joining in from time to time. Simba watched them from inside the den, keeping Chaka and Shani close in fear to not let them catch an infection. “I’m so sorry, my cubs…”

Kion stayed for the rest of the day, before the Sun began to set. He said his goodbyes to everyone.

”Remeber, Naba.” Kion said as he hugged his brother. “Dad still needs time to recover. You don’t need to change yourself for anyone. Be who you are.”

”Thanks, Kion.” Naba smiled. “I will take that to heart. I will miss you. Tell everyone I said hi! And I hope to see your cubs soon! Or one day, or whenever they will be born.”

Kion smiled as he left, heading north towards the Out Lands to greet Jasiri and her clan, before going back to the Tree of Life. Kion hoped that his father would manage to make emends with their family, and that wherever there Mom was now that she would be safe.