Return to the Pride Lands

## Synopsis

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

## Plot

As Kion and his team head back to the Pride Lands after learning of Zira intending to attack Kion's family and take over the Pride Lands, joined by Jasiri, Janja, and the other Outlanders, they arrive at the gorge separating the Outlands from the Pride Lands, when Anga looks ahead to see Zira's son, Kovu, standing on Pride Rock, making Kion believe they are too late as they are then attacked by Vitani and her lionesses.

Kion prepares to unleash the Roar of the Elders on Vitani and her team, only for Kiara to appear with Kovu to intervene. Still thinking Kovu is on Zira's side, Kion prepares to use the Roar again, but Kiara places herself in the crossfire, forcing Kion to stand down before explaining that Vitani and Kovu are on their side now, with Vitani apologizing for not recognizing Kion because of his scar, and Kovu explaining that Zira is dead, having completed her journey on the Circle of Life. Kiara asks that Kion and his Lion Guard return to Pride Rock so they can be told everything, and after Kion says goodbye to Jasiri and the Outsiders, knowing they will be watching over the Outlands safely, Kion returns home to reunite with his parents, King Simba and Queen Nala.

After Kion reunites with his parents, Simba thanks Azaad for helping the Lion Guard get home safely, before Rafiki arrives to ask about Makini, who Kion says stayed at the Tree of Life per the request of the late Queen Janna, which fills Rafiki with pride, knowing that Makini's true calling was at the Tree of Life, so Janna was right about her. Kion then asks about Zira, especially because of what happened earlier with Kovu and Vitani, and Rafiki brings the Lion Guard down to show them what happened during their time away from the Pride Lands and at the Tree of Life, revealing the full story of how, after Zira and her pride were exiled by Kion with the Roar of the Elders, she planned a new scheme to conquer the Pride Lands, raising Kovu to try and kill Simba, but during his time getting to know Simba and Kiara, Kovu rebelled against her. When Zira then led Vitani and her lionesses against Simba, Nala, and their lionesses, Kovu and Kiara intervened in the fight, convincing Simba that both prides were one. Vitani and Zira's lionesses realized this and joined Simba, but Zira, blinded by her hatred and vengeance, did not, and it destroyed her. After that, Simba welcomed Kovu, Vitani, and their lionesses into his pride, and named Kovu and Kiara as his heirs to the throne.

With everything settled, the rest of the Lion Guard reunites with their families and friends while Kion spends the day with his family. That night, the Royal Family spend some time speaking with the spirit of Mufasa before heading to the den, but not before Kiara and Kion talk about how Kion misses Rani back at the Tree of Life.

The next day, when Kion and his Lion Guard find Vitani and her Lion Guard of lionesses in their headquarters, it is not long before it is decided to have a competition to decide which Lion Guard, Kion's or Vitani's, would defend the Pride Lands, to which the Battle of the Lion Guards begins.

Rafiki tells the Pridelanders about the Battle of the Lion Guards to know whose Lion Guard is better in a competition between Kion and Vitani while Ono gets to be the judge as his position as the Smartest. Imara tells Vitani that she will compete against Beshte to know who is stronger as she and Beshte plan to push a rock at Chakula Plains. At Chakula Plains, Ma Tembo and Zito argue to know if Beshte or Imara is better, to which the first contestant to push the rock to the tree is the winner. During the contest, Beshte pushes a rock with Ma Tembo on it as an older Mtoto cheers him on as Ma Tembo warns Beshte to protect his skin from sunburn while Imara progresses farther than Beshte and wins against her. The next position during the competition is the Fastest, as Fuli challenges Kasi to know who is better, and the contestant who loops around the canyon and returns to the entrance of the canyon first is the winner. Fuli speeds up against Kasi as she wins against the lioness.

The next position during the competition is the Keenest of Sight. Anga competes with Tazama to know which contestant has better keen sight than the other. Soon, as Anga competes with Tazama in the darkness, Anga has trouble finding her way out of the dark. Tazama comes out of the cave first and rescues Laini inside, winning against Anga. The next position during the competition is the Bravest. At the Maumivu Thorn Patch, Bunga competes against Shabaha to know who is better at being brave and the contestant who first gets the fruit at the baobab tree at the top of Makundu Cliffs is the winner. Soon as Bunga and Shabaha compete against each other, Timon and Pumbaa cheer Bunga on. He successfully crosses Urembo River while dodging crocodiles and climbing up Makundu Cliffs and getting the fruit and the baobab tree, winning against her.

After four tough events, leading to the teams being tied at two wins apiece, the last position during the competition is the Fiercest between Kion and Vitani. During the last challenge, it is up to Kion and Vitani to decide the tiebreaker. Vitani calls for a Mashindano, but Kion realizes she doesn't stand a chance since he is armed with the Roar, but Vitani confidently retorts that she doesn't need it, being fierce enough to lead without it while the animals chant for a Mashindano between Kion and Vitani. After talking to Vitani, Kion then remembers that Askari told him that only one who is planning to let go of the Roar completely can truly master the power of it. Recalling what he was told by Askari, Kion sees the meaning to his words, and forfeits the final battle to Vitani, naming her and her lionesses the new Lion Guard, entrusting her with both the Mark of the Guard, and the Roar of the Elders. Vitani tests out the Roar, and successfully pulls it off as the Great Kings of the Past roar with her, truly marking her as the new leader of the Lion Guard as the Mark of the Guard vanishes from Kion and his team.

Suddenly, Askari appears in the sky to commend Kion as, due to him giving up the Roar of the Elders to Vitani, he has truly mastered it, before reminding Kion that there is another place that the Roar is needed to protect: the Tree of Life. Upon this realization, Kion gains the Mark of the Night Pride bestowed to him by Queen Janna before her passing, and then asks his team if they would join him in helping Rani and the Night Pride defend the Tree of Life. Everyone is in agreement, gaining the Mark of the Night Pride as well, before Vitani asks Kion what it means to have mastered the Roar. Telling her to watch, Kion demonstrates his mastery of the Roar by lifting the entirety of Pride Rock off the ground and holding it aloft in the air as his family, the Pride Landers, and Vitani and her Guard watch in astonishment and surprise. After returning Pride Rock to the ground, Kion listens as Vitani utters his catchphrase "Havi Kabisa" in shock, but also in admiration, wonder and amazement.

Some time later, a large gathering of animals is at the Tree of Life. Among them are Simba, Nala, Kiara, Kovu, Zazu, Rafiki, Timon, Pumbaa, Kion's Lion Guard, Jasiri and her Clan, the Night Pride, and others. Kion then approaches Rani, and with Makini officiating the ceremony, Kion is crowned the new King of the Tree of Life with Rani as his Queen and wife. The crowd erupts into joyful cheers. As everyone celebrates Kion's coronation and marriage to Rani, the new couple roar proudly to the gathered animals as the spirits of King Mufasa, Queen Janna, and Askari smile down from the heavens as the Great Lions of the Past roar in celebration just as the Roar returns to the Tree of Life once again.

## Cast

* **Max Charles** as **Kion**
* **Joshua Rush** as **Bunga**
* **Diamond White** as **Fuli**
* **Atticus Shaffer** as **Ono**
* **Dusan Brown** as **Beshte**
* **Bryana Salaz** as **Anga**
* **Landry Bender** as Makini
* **Peyton Elizabeth** Lee as Rani
* **Behzad Dabu** as Azaad
* **Maia Mitchell** as Jasiri
* **Maisie Klompus** as Madoa
* **Andrew Kishino** as Janja
* **Vargus Mason** as Cheezi
* **Greg Ellis** as Mzingo
* **Gary Anthony Williams** as Mufasa
* **Lacey Chabert** as Vitani
* **Fiona Riley** as Shabaha
* **Savannah Smith** as Kasi
* **Rachel Crow** as Imara
* **Sophie Reynolds** as Tazama
* **Eden Riegel** as Kiara
* **Jason Marsden** as Kovu
* **Rob Lowe** as Simba
* **Gabrielle Union** as Nala
* **Khary Payton** as Rafiki
* **Kevin Schon** as Timon, Chungu, Thurston
* **Ernie Sabella** as Pumbaa
* **Meghan Strange** as Laini
* **Lynette Dupree** as Ma Tembo
* **Nick Watt** as Zito
* **Michael Luwoye** as Askari
* **Jaime Camil** as Pinguino
* **Cam Clarke** as Mwoga
* **Justin Felbinger** as Mtoto

## Characters

### Appearances

* **Kion**
* **Bunga**
* **Fuli**
* **Ono**
* **Beshte**
* **Anga**
* **Azaad**
* **Jasiri**
* **Janja**
* **Madoa** (final appearance)
* **Cheezi** (final appearance)
* **Chungu** (final appearance)
* **Mzingo** (redeem/final appearance)
* **Mwoga** (redeem/final appearance)
* **Male Vulture** (redeem/final appearance)
* **Kovu** (young adult debut)
* **Vitani** (young adult debut)
* **Shabaha** (debut)
* **Kasi** (debut)
* **Imara** (debut)
* **Tazama** (debut)
* **Kiara** (young adult debut)
* **Simba**
* **Nala**
* **Rafiki**
* **Zira** (cave painting) (final appearance)
* **Lioness** (cave painting) (final apppearance)
* **Timon** (final appearance)
* **Pumbaa** (final appearance)
* **Basi** (cameo / final appearance)
* **Mbeya** (cameo / final appearance)
* **Shingo** (cameo / final appearance)
* **Hadithi** (final appearance)
* **Kulinda** (cameo / final appearance)
* **Young Ona** (debut cameo)
* **Johari** (cameo / final appearance)
* **Zito** (final appearance)
* **Young Mtoto** (debut/final appearance)
* **Ma Tembo** (final appearance)
* **Sable Antelope#1** (cameo / final appearance)
* **Baby Baboon's Mother** (cameo / final appearance)
* **Child Baby Baboon** (cameo / final appearance)
* **Big Baboon** (cameo / final appearance)
* **Gumba's Mom** (cameo / final appearance)
* **Mufasa** (cameo / final appearance)
* **Laini** (final appearance)
* **Thurston** (final appearance)
* **Vuruga Vuruga** (cameo / final appearance)
* **Bupu** (cameo / final appearance)
* **Mtoto's Mom** (cameo / final appearance)
* **Twiga** (cameo / final appearance)
* **Male Crocodile** (cameo / final appearance)
* **Makuu** (cameo / final appearance)
* **Askari** (final appearance)
* **Makini** (final appearance)
* **Rani** (final appearance)
* **Tangaagim** (cameo / final appearance)
* **Cek** (cameo / final appearance)
* **Rama** (cameo / final appearance)
* **Female Polar Bear** (cameo / final appearance)
* **Baliyo** (cameo / final appearance)
* **Nirmala** (cameo / final appearance)
* **Surak** (cameo / final appearance)
* **King Sokwe** (cameo / final appearance)
* **Shujaa** (cameo / final appearance)
* **Tsah** (cameo / final appearance)
* **Sasem** (cameo / final appearance)
* **Pinguino** (final appearance)
* **Young Adult Tiifu** (debut cameo / final appearance)
* **Young Adult Zuri** (debut cameo / final appearance)
* **Zazu** (cameo / final appearance)
* **Binga** (final appearance)
* **Fikiri** (cameo / final appearance)
* **Kitendo** (cameo / final appearance)
* **Majinuni** (cameo / final appearance)
* **Hafifu** (cameo / final appearance)
* **Spirit Janna** (cameo / final appearance)

## Groups

* **Kion's Lion Guard** (final appearance)
* **Vitani's Lion Guard** (debut)
* **Jasiri's Clan**
* **Janja's Clan**
* **Mzingo's Parliament** (final appearance)
* **Outsiders** (final appearance)
* **Simba's Pride**
* **Vuruga Vuruga's Herd** (final appearance)
* **Mbeya's Crash** (final appearance)
* **Twiga's Herd** (final appearance)
* **Basi's Pod** (final appearance)
* **Makuu's Float** (final appearance)
* **Ma Tembo's Herd** (final appearance)
* **Bupu's Herd** (final appearance)
* **Baby Baboon's Troop** (final appearance)
* **Big Baboon's Troop** (final appearance)
* **Thurston's Herd** (final appearance)
* **Pim's Group** (final appearance)
* **Sokwe's Troop** (final appearance)
* **Kitendo's Troop**
* **Night Pride**
* **Pinguino's Rookery**
* **Tangaagim's Sleuth**
* **Cek and Rama's Flock**
* **Laini's Group** (final appearance)

## Locations

* **Pride Lands**
	+ **Hakuna Matata Falls** (final appearance)
	+ **Chakula Plains** (final appearance)
	+ **Mbali Fields** (final appearance)
	+ **Mizimu Grove** (final appearance)
	+ **Pride Rock** (final appearance)
	+ **Lair of the Lion Guard** (final appearance)
	+ **Big Springs** (final appearance)
	+ **Kulinda's Nest** (final appearance)
	+ **Maumivu Thorn Patch** (final appearance)
	+ **Urembo River** (final appearance)
	+ **Mekundu Cliffs** (final appearance)
* **Outlands**
	+ **Outlands Volcano** (final appearance)
	+ **Termite Mounds** (paintings final appearance)
* **Tree of Life**
	+ **Four Stars**
	+ **Mountain Pass**

## Animals

* **Lions**
* **Honey Badgers**
* **Cheetahs**
* **Hippopotamuses**
* **Egrets**
* **Eagles**
* **Hyenas**
* **Vultures** (final appearance)
* **Mandrills**
* **Meerkats**
* **Warthogs**
* **Buffaloes** (final appearance)
* **Rhinoceroses** (final appearance)
* **Giraffes** (final appearance)
* **Utamu** (final appearance)
* **Hamerkops** (final appearance)
* **Crocodiles** (final appearance)
* **Elephants** (final appearance)
* **Sable Antelopes** (final appearance)
* **Baboons** (final appearance)
* **Galagos** (final appearance)
* **Zebras** (final appearance)
* **Hyraxes** (final appearance)
* **Gorillas** (final appearance)
* **Polar Bears**
* **Mountain Goats**
* **Shrews**
* **Penguins**
* **Hornbills** (final appearance)

## Trivia

* This episode takes place after *The Lion King II: Simba's Pride,*making this an epilogue. This is also the second Disney television episode to take place after a Disney sequel movie. The first was *Hercules and the Arabian Night*, which takes place after *Aladdin and the King of Thieves*.
	+ However, the events of *Simba's Pride* are recapped when Kion talks to his parents about Zira and her minions attacking the Pride Lands to which Rafiki points the animals to a rock recapping the aforementioned film plots.