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Lion Guard and all associated characters belong to Disney.
This story was requested by lionkinglover12!
Um this story contains soda tf's and themes of permanace in the tf so if oyu don't like that, um... i guess don't read it? other than that... enjoy?
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Fall of the Guard
“Till the Pride Lands end!”
“Lion Guard defend!”
“Janja! They’re catching up!” Cheezi, one of the three running hyenas said to his leader.
“What do we do Janja?!” Chunga, the bulkier of the two henchmen asked.
“Shut up furbrains! I’m thinking!” The lead Hyena, the apparent Janja, said, before skidding to a stop in the dirt. His two henchmen, Chunga and Cheezi sliding into him from behind.
“Huwezi! You’re not hunting here any more Janja!” A yellow streak of fur zoomed around the three hyenas, before skidding to a stop in front of them. It was an adolescent, female cheetah, with a symbol of a roaring lion on her left shoulder. Fuli, the swiftest in the pridelands.
“Oh yeah?! And what are you going to do? Run circles around us?” Janja growled out. “Cheezi! Chunga! Take her! We can eat cheetah tonight!”
“What does cheetah taste like?”
“Is it like zebra?”
“It doesn’t matter what she tastes like furbrains! Just get rid of her!” Janja said, smacking both the other hyena’s over the head with a paw.
“Okay, Janja!” Chunga said proudly, stepping forward, a happy, dopey grin on his slabbering face. Cheezi stepped forward right behind him with the same, hungry smile.
Fuli took a small step back. She may be fast, but a straight-out fight with two hyenas wasn’t her strength. It was….
“Twende Kiboko!” A large adolescent hippo shouted as he bowled over both the hyenas. He wore the same roaring lion symbol on his left shoulder. Beshte, the strongest in the pridelands, had come to his friend’s rescue.
“Thanks, Beshte!” Fuli shouted at the hippo, before standing firm next to him, as Cheezi and Chunga slowly got up.
“Hey! Don’t forget about me! Zuka Zama!!!!” a little honey badger shouted, before hopping off Beshte’s back with a somersault, landing on Janja’s back. “Giddy up lil hyena! Come on Janja! You can go faster than this right?!”
“Bunga! Get off!” Janja shouted, bucking like a zebra as he tried to knock the bravest in the Pride Lands off his back. The honey badger just laughed, jumping backward off the hyena, sending Janja tumbling forward into his henchman.
“How about you get off the Pride Lands!” a new voice said. This one belonging to an adolescent lion. He stepped forward, between Beshte and Bunga. The leader of the Lion Guard, and the Fiercest. Kion.
The last member fluttered down from above, landing on Beshte’s head. An egret named Ono. The Keenest of Sight, and most likely, the reason the hyenas were found.
Bunga spoke up, patting kion on the shoulder. “Why don’t you just roar them back to the outlands!”
Ono shrugged from atop Beshte’s back. “It’s not like they ever learn their lesson otherwise.”
“Fur brains! You better start running!” Janja said, fear trickling into his voice as he ran ahead.
“Run? Why?” Cheezi asked. Before his voice was drowned out by the sound of a loud roar behind them. The clouds broke into the images of many lions, and the wind blew wildly. Dust rose up around them.
But for once. They didn’t get sent flying.
“Hey, Cheezi. Kion roared at us, right? So why are we still here?”
“I dunno Chunga. But I feel weird...Like I ate a lot!”
“Me too! I like it!”
Meanwhile, kion was just as confused about the lack of flying hyenas.
“Hey um, Kion. I think your roar broke. Did you do it right?” Bunga asked, prying the lion’s maw open to look inside.
“Ack! Bunga! Stop it! I’m fine! I think. Beshte, can you deal with them?” Kion asked, batting the honey badger away from his maw.
“Sure thing Kion! Twende Kiboko!” He shouted, charging at the two giggling hyenas, sending them running away as fast as they could after Janja.
“Wait for me Big B!” Bunga shouted, chasing after the hippo and the hyenas. Kion shook his head with a small sigh.
“Ono, can you watch to make sure they get them out? You too, Fuli. I need some time to myself.” the lion said, massaging his jaw with a paw.
“Affirmative,” Ono said with a nod. “Come on Fuli. We don’t want to be behind Bunga is we can help it.” Both the egret and the cheetah gave a knowing shudder, before darting after their friends to chase out the hyenas, leaving Kion by himself.
“Why didn’t it work….” he muttered to himself.
Janja made it to the outlands quickly. After hearing the roar, he knew to skedaddle fast, or else he'd get there the more painful way. Landing on rocks was never fun. Though nowadays, the outlands weren’t nearly as safe either.
“Janja!” a voice hissed out from the darkness beneath a cleft. A red skink poked its head out, crawling from its hiding place. “Ssscar wants you ...now.” The skink said in its pompous manner. Janja never liked how the reptiles around here always acted like they were better than him.
“Yeah well, you can tell Scar that-” the hyena started, before a new hiss interrupted him.
“Tell Ssscar what...Janja?” A more sinister reply came. Ushari, Scar’s ‘right hand’ snake. The one who had the bright idea of resurrecting the tyrant lion.
“Uh. tell him...I’ll be right on my way.” Janja grumbled a bit, before looking back. “Wait, Where’s Chunga and Cheezi? I thought they were right behind me?”
“They probably got lossst. Knowing your pack, it’sss a sssuprissse you can even make it back.” Ushari hissed dismissively. “You’d better hurry. Ssscar doesss not like to be kept waiting.”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m going, I’m going!” Janja growled out, stalking his way up the rocks. His two furbrains would find their way back, they always did, even if he didn’t want them to. Up ahead was the large volcano that made up the new base of the outlander’s uneasy alliance. The float of alligators, the skinks, the pack of jackals, the flock of vultures, and Janja’s own pack of hyenas. All led by the disembodied lion spirit that now resided in the flames of the volcano.
And everything that went wrong always seemed to be his fault.
As Janja circled his way up the volcano, through the caves, he heard the deep booming voice of Scar. “Any day now, that little lion cub will be ready. And it’ll just take one little mistake to tip him over the edge.”
“And how is that supposed to be a good thing? If his roar is this bad when he’s in control, what makes it better when he’s angry?” a deep voice said, Kiburi, the leader of the crocodiles. So that’s who scar was talking to.
“Simple, my naive little crocodile. He won’t be able to control it. He won’t be able to tell friend from foe. We just have to tip him.” the floating lion said.
“And how are we supposed to do that.” the crocodile huffed out.
“Easily. When it’s time. Janja! How did the raid go.”
Janja let out a small yelp, surprised at the sudden response. How did he even know he was here? Janja slowly stepped up onto the ledge that led straight to the lion. “Oh um. It went…. Until the Lion Guard came.”
Kiburi let out a loud growl. “So you failed. Once again. How are we supposed to fight the pridelands if you can’t bring us food?!”
“I’d like to see you handle that roar!” Janja barked back.
“Silence! Both of you! Gather your packmate Janja, and go out on another raid. We need food. NOW.” Scar hissed out, flames spewing from below as Janja skulked back.
“Um..about that. I...don't know where they are. We got roared at and I assumed they flew here first, but they still haven’t made it.”
“You got roared at, but didn’t go flying?” Scar questioned.
“Well yeah, I outran it, but the other two were right behind me and then they weren’t. I don’t know?” Janja said, almost confused.
“You can’t outrun the roar! Unless….. Kiburi. Your float will attack the zebra’s.”
“But Scar, we’re too slow to-” Kiburi started, before Scar glared back at him.
“I don’t care. Your job is to attract the Lion Guard. Keep them busy. Janja, go with them. And send the vultures here. I need to speak with them.” Scar growled out. His eyes glowing as bright as the lava beneath them.
“Alright alright. But if we just get roared back. That’s on your head Scar.” Kiburi growled out. With a slap of his tail, he led his float back out the caves. Janja looked at Scar, then Kiburi, before following the crocodiles, with his tail tucked between his legs. What had he gotten himself into?
“You know. If your idea is correct, those crocodilessss won’t be coming back. Much too slow” Ushari hissed out, as he slid out from the shadows. Scar grinned widely, his ghostly teeth looking just as sharp as when they were alive.
“Fodder for the fire. If they don’t come back, they won’t get in OUR way. And it’ll prove it’s time. Fetch the vultures for me Ushari. I need some scouts for what’s about to happen.”
“Grandfather Mufasa?” Kion asked, looking up at the sky. The clouds moved, and sunlight shone through them. Thunder rumbled, despite there not being a storm nearby. And the face of an older, ancestor lion showed on the cloud.
“I’m here Kion. What troubles you?” the large, cloud lion spoke. His voice booming across the land, despite only Kion being able to hear it.
“My roar. Am I losing it? Was Zira right? Did I use it wrong?” The young lion asked. He was almost whimpering.
“You have not lost your roar. You’ve just unlocked a new power within. Do not worry young Kion. Your roar is only growing stronger.” Mufasa said with a smile.
“A new...power?” Kion asked softly.
“The Blessing of the Fruit Falls,” Mufasa spoke. “Your roar will turn your threats into a fruity drink from which those of the pridelands may partake. When my brother was of the Lion Guard, it saved us many times during the dry season. It is a blessing, not a failure.”
“A blessing...but why didn’t it-”
“Kion! It’s Un-Bunga-lievable! You’ve got to see this!” a voice interrupted Kion’s conversation, along with the rumbling of the ground. Kion looked back up at the clouds, to see Mufasa was gone, and behind him was a charging Beshte with Bunga on top of him. Fuli and Ono were keeping pace with them. And in Bunga’s paws were two round grey things.
“We were chasing them out like you said, but they just suddenly collapsed. And when we caught up, we found these.” Fuli spoke up.
Bunga shook one of the rounded things and the sound of water or some form a liquid sloshing around inside. “It sounds like its a mini watering hole inside!”
“I honestly have no clue what these are. I didn’t know hyenas could do THIS.” Ono said, fluttering down to sit by Bunga on top of Beshte, and poking one of the grey things with his beak. A dull metallic thud sounded.
“I think….that was my roar?” Kion said, almost questioning himself. “I mean, what else could it be?”
“Poa. That's so cool Kion!” Beshte said with a smile on his muzzle.
“Cool?”
“Well yeah. If they are these things now, they can’t invade the pridelands. Common knowledge really.” Ono said with a nod.
“I mean. That's true I guess, but wh-” Kion started before a familiar, annoying sound rang in his ears.
“PANIC AND RUN! PANIC AND RUN!” Shouted a voice as a blur of black and white stripes ran past the guard.
“Woah Woah! Hold up! What's going on? Was it another talking rock?” Fuli spat, clearly annoyed with the zebra again.
“No! There are no such things as talking rocks. Everyone knows that. Now talking tree’s on the other hand…” The zebra started.
“Focus! What started your ‘Panic and run’.” Kion asked, raising his voice a bit.
“Well, you could be nicer about it! Kiburi is on our grazing grounds!”
“And...you can’t just outrun them?” Bunga asked.
“Well, of course, we can! But our greatly refined instincts tell us to-”
“Panic and Run. We know. Why don’t you go continue that while we deal with the problem.” Fuli growled a bit.
“Fuli, play nice. We’ll take care of Kiburi, you get your herd to calm down.” Kion affirmed, turning back to his friends. “Ono, can you spot them for us?”
“Affirmative.” The egret said, flapping his wings a few times before taking to the air. A sheen covered his eyes as his vision focused before he called down. “Kiburi and his float are at the edge of the grazing grounds, Janja is with them! Not far from here!”
“Alright! Lead the way, Ono! Till the Pride Lands end!”
“Lion Guard defend!”
“How are we supposed to catch zebras?!” Kiburi growled. His tail slapped on the ground in anger as he crawled as fast as he could after the distant herd. His two companions were following closely, and Janja was slightly ahead. “It’s almost like he WANTS us to fail.”
“Maybe he has a plan?” Janja asked slowly, almost as if he wasn’t used to thinking things through.
“Fat chance. What would a lion know about how crocodiles work.” Kiburi hissed at the hyena.
“Well. Scar did tell us to distract the guard, maybe it’s some sort of plan?” one of the other crocodiles asked.
“And who would carry out that plan? The vultures are weak. The skinks can’t do anything. The jackals are out looking for food. And Janja is….Janja.”
“Hey! I heard that!” the hyena growled.
“You were supposed to!” Kiburi snorted back. “The fact is, all of you are useless without MY float keeping you afloat!”
“So…If you’re the best the outlands has to offer, does that mean we win?” a familiar voice asked. “Cause we beat your scaley butts all the time!” the honey badger said as he jumped off Beshte’s back. The Lion Guard had appeared while they were arguing.
“Lion Guard….” The lead crocodile growled. “Scar better really have a plan, or else,” he grumbled under his breath, before jutting his muzzle forwards as threateningly as he could. “How great of you to join us.”
“And if you know what's good for you, you’ll be leaving….now,” Kion said, taking a step forward, his teeth bared.
“And how do you plan on making us huh? We outnumber you four to five!” Tamka, the bigger of the two hench-crocs, said firmly. Before he was smacked by Kiburi’s tail, on the snout.
“Five is more than four you dimwit!”
“Wait, it is?” Bunga asked, hopping off Beshte and setting the two grew cans on the ground, before strolling up to Kiburi. “I thought we just beat you while we were outnumbered. Well, that kinda takes the wind out of our victories.” He said slowly. Bunga leaned an elbow on Kiburi’s snout, ignoring the scowl the crocodile gave.
“Did we outnumber you the time where Big B sent you all flying? Oh, oh! Or the time Fuli chased you all off from the wetlands? Or the time you and the jackals tried to hunt the zebras together and Kion roared you all away?” Bunga asked almost smugly. “I mean, if we outnumbered you EVERY time, that's just kinda furbrained of you.”
“That's it, I’m eating him!” Kiburi growled out, his maw springing open, giving Bunga the perfect time to use it as a springboard to backflip out of the way.
“What's wrong? Oh! Should I have said scalebrained?” Bunga asked with a laugh, rolling on the grass a bit. “I crack myself up! Maybe I shoulda been the Funniest in the Pride Lands?!” He asked, turning to look at his friends.
“NO!” All four of them said with a small groan. Kion sighed internally.
“Hey Kiburi, maybe we should do as they said? I got whatever they had while you were distracting them.” Janja spoke up, dropping the cans from his maw next to the Crocodile. “Maybe they’re impor- why is Chunga on this one?” He asked, stopping himself as he looked them over.
Both cans were sleek and grey around the most part. Flat on two ends, while rounded like a stone in the middle, with what looked like a loose twig on the top. On the side was an image of Chunga’s smiling face, while the other had Cheezi’s. Below each face were words spelling out Chunga Cola, and Cheezi Cherry in a light brown, almost the color of their spots.
“What's going on here?” Janja asked, looking up.
“Oh yeah! Kion! You can test out your new roar!” Bunga said, elbowing the young lion.
"But, I’m only supposed to use it for threats. Would these four really be considered threats?” Kion asked, glancing up.
“I dunno, but it would stop them from making the zebra’s ‘Panic and Run’ from now on,” Beshte affirmed, glancing back at Kion. “Why not give it a shot.”
“Yeah! Come on Kion! You have to try it at SOME point!” pleaded the honey badger.
“Alright, All of you get back. I don’t want to have to carry you home.” the adolescent lion said, as he stepped forward, ignoring the silent ‘Yes!’ from Bunga.
“All right Kiburi, this is your last time invading the Pride Lands!” growled Kion, bracing his paws.
“Go on, I’m not afraid of your roar! We’ll just be back!” The crocodile hissed out, before charging forward as fast as his stubby legs could carry him. He pivoted on his front legs, swinging his tail around to Hit the lion in the muzzle when the Roar sounded.
Kion let out the fiercest roar he could. The wind rushing past, the trees bending in the wind. But instead of being sent flying, something else just as spectacular happened.
Kiburi’s tail shrunk back on itself like a turtle going back in its shell, just barely missing Kion as the crocodile spun around. It wasn’t just his tail either. As the strike continued to follow through, Kion saw Kiburi’s legs pulling in, disappearing in the scales, that were soon becoming shiny, like a rock after a light, sunny rain. Kiburi’s muzzle retracted, flattening to be as flat as a baboons face, before pulling in further than that, tugging his head back with it. All the while, the crocodile shrank in place. His body compressing down. His face faded to a dull gray like his tail, and his sides were perfectly smooth, and as grey as his scales.
All that was left of Kiburi was a can, spinning in place. About twelve ounces, the size of a large river pebble. The whole process had only taken a few seconds. The can stopped spinning in front of Kion, showing the face of a glaring Kiburi, along with the words ‘Kiburi Kokoa’ on a splash of green scales. The roar had worked.
“Poa!” Beshte said, almost excitedly. Kion puffed out his chest a bit, feeling more confident in his new roar now.
“That's one threat down! Three to go!” the lion said, before turning to the two leftover crocodiles. “Let's start with you two!” He said loudly, before opening his maw and letting out a loud roar.
“Tamka! I think we should get out of here!” The smaller of the two leftover crocs shouted over the roar, before turning to run, only to smack his snout on the ground. His front legs were already pulling into his scales and fading away. The smaller gator crossed his eyes, watching as his snout shortened, pulling inwards. His nose smoothed over, and the rigidity of his scales seemed to fade, until his entire snout pulled out of his view, growing flush with his face. Nduli tries to thrash his tail, kick his legs, anything to move away from the roar, but his whole body was going numb, almost pleasantly so. Like sleeping before the dry season.
Unlike his comrade, the dimwitted Tamka almost welcomed the feeling. The numbness ran over his mind, as his body started to dwindle in size. Any thoughts of running or fighting back were silenced easily. The bulk of his belly became uniform, cylindrical. Easier to roll across the ground. And his tail was pulling back into his body. Tamka let out a small sigh of relief as his legs pulled into his body. He didn’t have to carry his bulk around anymore. He didn’t have to do anything. He could relax, let someone else take care of him, help with the circle of life. Yeah.
As he looked to the side, he saw his smaller, well not so small now, friend fading away. The last niblets of him disappearing on the smooth body of the crocodile can. He would be like that, free of worry, free of….of...thinking...of….
The last bit of Tamka’s scales smoothed over. His eyes closing for good. All that was left were a pair of green cans, slowly rolling down the grassy slope, back towards the Lion Guard. Kion let a small, cocky grin cover his muzzle, as he turned to the last ‘threat’.
Janja let out a small gulp and a weak laugh. “H-hey! We’re all friends, right? Circle of life and all! How about I promise not to come to the Pride Lands ever again, and you let me go?” the hyena asked, backing up slowly.
“That’s not going to work this time Janja. You’re never going to bother the Pride Lands again. It's time for you’re part in the circle of life.” Kion growled out. Janja immediately turned to run, but he didn’t get far as the immense power of the roar sounded behind him, making him stumble and falling flat on the ground.
Janja let out a low groan, struggling to his paws. An odd, almost bubbly feeling, growing in his stomach. He let out a small, unintended burp, devolving the hyena into a fit of giggles as the fruity taste hit his mouth. He gently rubbed his belly with a paw, feeling the fur fade into cold, hard metal. It was almost numb to his paw pads, and the numbness was spreading over his body. Janja let out another small burp, his body shrinking as the air escaped. Each exhale left less and less of the hyena, while he never felt the need to inhale. Slowly, his paws started pulling in, until he could no longer reach his own, rounding belly. His back paws were also pulling in, with his tail wrapping around his belly, melting into the metal.
Janja couldn’t fight back against the feelings. He felt full for the first time ever. And hyenas were never full. It was almost, Intoxicating. He could get used to this. Even if he was just...just a can. Like Cheezi and Chunga. Like...like….
His thoughts melted as his head smooshed down, flattening into a circular top, with an easy to open tab. His fur was all but gone, the last bits of it fading into grey metal. Janja’s happy, smiling muzzle on the front, above big bold text saying “Janja Juice.” The can gave a small, stuttering shake, trying to balance itself on the slope, before falling over, rolling into the two green cans, and pushing them all further down the hill.
Bunga quickly ran up, stopping the trio of rolling cans with a paw. “Let's see. Tropical Tamka, Nduli Nectarine, Janja Juice. What even is a nectarine?”
“Its a type of citrus fruit. Like and orange.but it looks more like a peach. Common knowledge really.” Ono said with a shrug, landing next to Bunga with a flutter, looking at the cans with curiosity. “So your roar can really do this now?”
“I wonder what a nectarine tastes like,” Bunga said with a grin, grabbing the can. Only to have it smacked out of his paw by Kion.
“No Bunga! We can save these for the dry season. Think of all the animals we can help if we stockpile drinks like this.” the lion said. “Hey Ono, can you spot any more threats? The more we get, the easier the dry season will be.”
“Affirmative!” Ono said, before taking back to the sky.
“If nothing else, you can use Bunga.” Fuli teased.
“Cool! I’m game! Roar me Kion!” Bunga said cheerfully, puffing his chest out.
“No! I’m not roaring you. Fuli, don’t egg him on.”
“Awww…” both the cheetah and the honey badger simultaneously pouted.
“Kion! I see Makucha and his leap! They’re terrorizing the giraffes.” Ono called down from above.
“Alright! Till the Pride Lands end!”
“Lion Guard defend!” The lion guard shouted, heading towards the giraffe grazing grounds, not noticing that flying even higher than Ono, the vultures were watching everything. And with a full report ready, they were now heading back to Scar. The end of the Pride Lands were close at hand.
“You were right Scar. Kiburi and Janja...the roar got rid of them. How are we supposed to fight that?” Mzingo said as he landed on a ledge.
“My dear Mzingo, we don’t fight such power. We just...direct it.” Scar said with a wide grin. “We direct it with anger, doubt, and sorrow.”
“And how, pray tell, do you expect us to do that? We are one vote away from leaving this for good.” the vulture said, his head held high for his acting parliament.
“You don’t have to do anything. Just start a spark. Do you think you can manage that?” Scar said, his ghostly, flame-filled head leaning close.
“Uh, all votes to start a spark on the Pride Lands? Good? Motion carried! We’ll be right on that!” Mzingo said hurriedly, before taking off into the air once more.
Ushari slithered back to the front, hissing softly. “If you’ll forgive my rudeness Scar, how will a fire help us now? Our assault didn’t do much more than anger the Pride Landers last time.”
“Simple. No one can twist a lion's mind as easily as me. After all, when we’re this late in the plan, if I want it done right, I’d better do it myself.” Scar cackled, his form fading as too did his laughter, leaving it echoing around the cavern.
Ushari let out a small shiver, rattling his whole body. Something felt off about all of this. Something horrible. And he didn’t like it.
“Parliament! Ready! Drop!” The shouts sounded through the air. Kion looked up in shock at the vultures flying high above. Several sticks swathed in flames dropped, easily spotted against the darkening sky. A few hit the trees, lighting the dry leaves instantly, while more landed in the brittle grass.
The fire hissed, moving as fast as a cheetah, snaking around the grasslands. A fire had started.
“Bunga! You and Fuli get the animals clear! Beshte, knock over the burning trees, we can’t let the fire leap through the treetops! Ono, keep an eye out for strays, and don’t let Mzingo drop any more flames! We just have to hold out for the storm!” Kion shouted, instantly taking command of the situation. They didn’t have time for frivolities. Not in the dry season.
“Till the Pride Lands end!”
“Lion Guard defend!” They all shouted, before moving their own separate ways. Bunga jumped on Fuli’s back, and both of them raced the flames rising in the grass, Bunga shouting out for any animals to escape. Ono took to the skies, keeping a careful watch, and pinpointing stray animals to Fuli and Bunga. Beshte rammed into one of the flaming trees, the whole thing creaking and groaning as it tumbled down, landing with a crash. The upwelling of dust almost putting out the flaming branches itself.
Kion nodded softly. They should be able to survive this attack. And now it was his turn to help. He ran over to where the fire had started, and braced himself to roar, before a thin serpentine flame branched off, heading straight for him.
Kion jumped backward as the flame streaked past, before rising up in a large wall. The flame though, it kept going, in a wide circle. Almost like it was a real snake. A living fire.
“Heyvi Kabisa! What’s going on?” Kion shouted as the fire circled him completely, before raising up, as high as the treetops. The roars and hisses of the flames sounded almost like a stampede surrounding him. Kion backed his way into the center of the flames.
“Kion! Are you okay?!” He heard shouted from behind the flames. Beshte was there.
“I’m fine! I’m okay! Just trapped.” Kion shouted back.
“We’ll get you out of there! Just hold on!” He heard Bunga shout back.
“Tsk tsk tsk. What a situation you’ve gotten yourself into, little prince.” A dark voice said behind him. Kion whirled around, growling a bit. Sitting on his haunches behind him was Scar. only, different. He was made entirely out of red and black flames, his eyes glowing a bright, flickering yellow. His pelt kept shifting and waving.
“Scar!” Kion hissed out, the fur on his back raising. “So you’re behind the fire.”
Scar simply smiled and got to his paws, before circling slowly around the fire. Kion scooted his way back, keeping Scar as far from him as they circled. “I might be, or I might not be. Either way, it's here, and you’re trapped. Unable to help. You still have much to learn.”
His voice crackled and snapped, like the fire he was made of. It was eerie, almost demon-like. Kion let out another soft growl. “It’s over Scar. Your armies will fall. I have a new power now!”
“Ah yes. The Blessing of the Fruit Falls. I know all about that little trick.” Scar almost snarled. “But, can you really control it? The roar that turns the body and spirit into liquid life for the Pride Lands.”
“Of course I can control it! I’ve been practicing!” Kion hissed. Thunder rumbled in the distance, causing both lions to perk their ears.
“Ah yes, practicing. That's exactly what you need. When there are no do-overs. No take-backs. One misstep. And your friends will be nothing. The pridelands will be nothing. Can you really manage that?” Scar hissed out, stopping his circling, causing Kion to stop as well.
Kion paused a bit, before growling back. “I can control it. I’m not you. I won’t backstab the Lion Guard.”
Scar just smirked, turning his back to Kion. “If you say so, but, if you can control it, why haven't you used it on the flames yet? You could easily escape if you tried. Yet…. here you are… powerless before me. And without that roar… your precious Pride Lands will fall easily.” Scar held up a paw as if steadying the flames on his claws. “Without that roar, you are nothing.” He said with a smirk.
“I still have the roar! Maybe I should silence you for good here and now!” Kion growled louder. The thunder rumbled once more, lighting streaking through the air, lighting up the faces of the lions now in the clouds.
“Ah, that would work, if not for one thing…” Scar started, only for an ear-splitting roar of sound to cut him out, his form flickered in the wind, and a hole blew open in the flames behind Scar. A hole that showed the rest of the lion guard. Beshte, Ono, Bunga and Fuli, all doing their best to put out the fire. Only for the roar to rush through them. Ono fell off Besthe’s back, groaning, and Bunga held his stomach, letting out a soft burp. “My spirit is in the volcano, not here.” Scar said with a loud laugh. His form hissed as the first raindrops fell, steaming in the air before the downpour started.
Scars laugh echoed, even as his form vanished into smoke. Kion let out a loud gasp, dashing through the remaining smoke of Scar, pouncing over the opening in the wall of simmering flames. “Guys, guys I’m so sorry! I just… I…” he stuttered. “I’ll find a way to fix this!”
“Its okay Kion you didn’t mean t-uuurp!....mean to,” Fuli said with a groan. Her body condensed where she stood, getting smaller, as small as Ono even. Her tail snaked around her paws as she was forced to sit on her haunches. Her fur flattened into a cold sheen of metal. “At least I don’t...have to worry…..about…..getting…..wet….” She said, her voice getting quieter as the air inside her vanished, filled instead with liquid juice. Her head flattened into the familiar shape of can, tab and all. The yellow can shook for a moment, before falling over. Fresh Fuli was written under the image of her smiling face.
“Hapana. I don’t feel so good.” Ono said, his feathers were already flat and shiny. His wings pulled to his side tightly. His whole body rounded out, cylindrical, and his legs pulled up into the fading fluff of his body. His head pulled down as well. Thoughts faded from his mind. All the knowledge he had that helped the Lion Guard for so long, faded into nothing but bubbling juice. Ono’s face showed up on the white and yellow can, with Ono Orange right over it.
“Fuli! Ono! I’m so sorry!” Kion shouted, pawing at the cans, trying to get any response.
“This is so un-Bunga-lievably cool.” Bunga groaned out. He was lying on his back as his limbs pulled into his body. He let out a loud burp, giggling to himself softly. His head tilted back as before being squished down. His tail wagged softly behind him, before that too faded away. His fur hardened along his body, becoming nothing more than a blue and white glaze. A softly bubbling could be heard from inside him. “Z-zuka Zama,” Bunga said softly before his maw shut permanently. His features disappeared completely, leaving a blue can, with a white streak going down the middle. Bunga’s image with a thumbs up appeared, along with “Un-Bunga-lievable Berry” as the name.
The transformation hit Beshte the most. His big size was quickly scrunched down. Shrinking in steps almost, his legs gave out from under him, leaving him flat on his belly. “So not..Poa….Uuuurp.” His belly rumbles as he let out a small burp, his stomach bubbling and gurgling as his insides shifted into nothing but liquid. His limp legs pulled in, leaving small images of them on his sides, and his nose flattened, pulling back into his head, and taking his head back with it. His mind faltered, and thinking paused. He was the strongest, he could take it, but...but...he was...just a can...juice...for the circle of life…. For…. His body rolled into the other three cans. A grey can, a bit larger than the others, but still just as lifeless. Beshte smiled as a picture, Best Besthe shown across his flank. Nothing but a can. Forever.
“Bunga….Beshte… I...can fix this… I can! I have to!” Kion said, almost in tears. The rain was pouring harder. The dry season had finally ended….and so had the Lion Guard.
“Kion! Kion!!!” A voice shouted. Kion turned, the can’s still cradled between his paws, and saw Simba running towards him. “I saw the fire from Pride Rock. Is everyone ok?” He asked before he looked down at the cans. “What happened?”
“It’s all my fault….all my fault… Scar was right. I couldn’t control the new roar and….”
“Scar was here?!” the King growled.
Kion nodded slowly. The tears covering his face were hidden by the rain covering his fur. “He...he was right. I...I roared and...my friends….” Kion said, his voice cracking as he looked down at the four cans.
“It’s not your fault Kion. This was Scar. All of this was him.” Simba told him. His gently leaned down, nuzzling his son’s head. “And we’ll get him back for it.” He growled.
“We...we will?”
“You and I are going to the outlands. And we are going to finish him. Once and for all.” Simba affirmed. Kion nodded back softly, before looking back down at his friends. What was left of them? “If he knows about this power. He may know how to change them back.” Simba continued.
“He….he might. You….you’re right dad. Can….can we put them in a safe place first?” Kion asked. A bit more confidence appearing in his voice.
“Let's take them to Hakuna Matata Falls. Pumba and Timone can keep them safe. Until we can bring them back.” Simba offered, before bending his head down to pick up the Bunga and Beshte cans. “And we will bring them back. I promise.”
“Alright, dad. Lets…. let's do this.” Kion said softly, glaring at the volcano in the distance.
The trek up the volcano was uneventful. It was almost like they were wanted there. But… it also felt lonely. Bunga wasn’t bouncing around making jokes. Ono wasn’t keeping watch. Beshte wasn’t pushing the boulders out of the way. Fuli wasn’t running up ahead complaining how slow they were. It was just Kion...Kion and Simba. Alone.
Kion looked up at their goal. They were here, at the volcano. The cave was a few tail lengths away. Simba stepped forward first. “We’ll finish this. And we’ll find a way to save your friends. Don’t worry.” Simba said softly, his tail landing on Kions shoulder gently, before he walked forward, disappearing into the darkness.
Kion made a small gulp before following. Without his friends, he didn’t feel very ‘fierce’ but, he was here for them. For all the Pride Lands.
The darkness opened up to a fiery light. Scar was waiting, sitting on the ledge. No longer in his ghostly head form, but now in the same form, he used in the pridelands. His fur flickered and glowed like embers, leaving shadows all over the place.
“Welcome, welcome. So, you’ve come to take out the ‘roots’?” Scar spoke in a calm, but cynical manner. As if he planned all of this.
Simba took a small stride forward, baring his teeth. “We’ve come to stop you Scar, once and for all,” he growled out. Scar laughed a bit at that, striding forward until he was almost nose to nose with Simba.
“You’re free to try, little cub. But you’ve already killed me once, can you really kill a ghost?” Scar asked, before looking as Kion. “You, on the other hand, you have a chance. If you can bear to try.” He cackled.
Kion shuddered a bit more. He didn’t want to hit his dad. But if his roar coul-
While distracted, he never noticed Ushari. The snake had snuck up on the young lion, before lunging at him. A bite on his eye, just like Scar said. That's all he needed to do. And the blinding pain interrupted Kion’s thoughts. Blood dripped into his eye, the new scar prominent against his fur as he yowled in pain.
“Kion!” Simba shouted. Before he let out a gasp. Jackals came from every shadow and crack, surrounding the lion. Forcing him backward, away from Kion and Scar. It was a trap.
Kion shook his head, splattering drops of blood across the rocks. Rage filled his head, an unnatural rage. He wiped the blood from his eye with a paw and glared at Scar.
“Sisi ni Sawa, Kion. Now, we are the same.” Scar said gleefully. “That anger you feel. That pain. You know what it's like. That Scar marks you as a failure to your Lion Guard, a failure to the Pride Lands. You are just like me!” he cackled out, leaning in close to Kion.
Kion yowled and made a swipe through Scar’s face, his paw coming back blackened with soot, passing harmlessly through him. “I’ll never be like you!” He growled out, only causing Scar to laugh more.
“Really? You turned on your friends. You led the king into my clutches. You are more like me than you realize.”
“But I...I didn’t…” Kion stammered, his resolve faltering a bit.
“Don’t listen to him Kion!” Simba growled, swiping at the jackals as they backed him up along the edge overlooking the lava pool below.
“Can you honestly say you hadn’t thought about what it would be like without them? All their power only suppressed your own.” Scar said, baring his teeth. “You’ll grow far stronger without them.”
“That’s not what I-”
“And your father. His rule was soft. He left you to deal with his problems. Can your sister really rule either? Wouldn’t it be safer if the fiercest in the Pride Lands ruled?” Scar inquired, before turning around, his back to Kion. “It’s only natural you’d make a power grab.”
“But I….I didn’t. I just...it was an accident.” Kion started, stumbling over his words.
“Oh. An accident. That makes it all better. You accidentally got rid of your ‘friends’. The Lion Guard. You ‘accidentally’ brought your father to his doom. You naive child.”
“I’m not naive!” Kion said with a soft growl. Before his mind sparked with a memory. The volcano. It held Scar's soul. He could roar it away, that's what Scar said. He could get rid of all these insecurities. He could get rid of everything!
He let the rage inside him boil over, shattering his remorse, his inhibitions. He didn’t see the jackals, or his father anymore. He saw only Scar, his target. The maniacal grin he wore like he knew he’d just won.
Kion didn’t even think to hold back, he just let out the biggest, rage-fueled roar of his life. He smirked with satisfaction as the roar dispersed the flame-made lion, like dust in the wind. Until he saw what was happening behind him. The jackals surrounding his father were moaning, and Simba was staring wide-eyed at Kion, trying to steady himself on the edge, while holding his chest with a paw.
Pop! Clank! Crinkle!
Sounds of light metal forming and shaping filled the cavern, as one by one, jackals retracted into themselves, leaving brown colors can’s where they had stood. Several cans rolled down the ledge, stopping at Kion’s paws.
Behind them, teetering on the edge, Kion watched as his father struggled. Simba let out a short gasp as his muzzle pulled inward, silencing him. His legs grew stubbier, pulling into his body and fading, leaving the proud lion on his side. His mane flattened like his fur, becoming smooth metal, brown on the top, and bright gold in the middle. And then his entire body compressed, getting smaller and smaller. Until with a clink, naught but a can remained. King Kola was displayed on the front, under an image of the smiling former king.
The can stood on the edge of the ledge, barely clinging on for a few moments, before falling off into the basin.
“Dad! No!” Kion shouted, dashing up to the edge, only to watch the can disappear into the fire and smoke of the volcano.
A Deep booming laugh sounded, echoing across the caldera. “Sisi ni Sawa, Kion! We are the Same! We both have scars, we both killed the tame!” Scar’s voice sung out. Kion stared into the swirling smoke, letting out a choked gasp.
He….he killed his own father. He….he….
A paw... A real flesh and fur paw settled on his flank. And Scar’s voice whispered in his ear.
“You killed the king, Kion. No one will accept you now.” he hissed. “You’ll be thrown out of the Pride Lands. Just, like, me.”
Kion turned around, shock carved on his muzzle. Standing before him, was Scar, in the flesh. Not his smokey form, ancestor form. Not filled with flames, but as the strong proud lion, he once was.
“It...It was an accident….” Was all Kion managed to choke out.
Scar leaned in close, almost comforting even. “Do you really think anyone outside will care? They will see you and not the king. They will find your friends. They will know you are not the protector you promise.”
“B-but I…”
Scar leaned close, hissing in Kion’s ear. “You are not worthy of the Roar.”
Kion stumbled back, sitting on his haunches. Sitting where his father last stood. “I’m...not...worthy…” He mumbled, almost questioning himself.
“Of course you aren’t. You not only killed your lion guard. Your ‘friends’, but you also simultaneously killed your king, while also giving me his life. Oh, did I neglect to mention that fact?” Scar said with a small smirk.
“Wh-...what do I do?” Kion asked softly, his voice trembling.
“Quite simple really. You just...give it up.”
“Give….up?” The younger lion looked up, tears in his eyes.
“Yes. give up. And join your friends among the stars or whatever Mufasa used to say.” Scar said. “Simple really.”
“I can...join my friends..” The younger lion looked down, the roaring lion on his shoulder flashed a bit, fading in and out.
“And don’t forget your father.” The older lion said idly. “You’d join him too.” That was all it took. The symbol of the lion guard faded from Kion’s shoulder. The will to fight completely drained from him. The will to protect gone. All that was left was the will to give up.
Scar smiled, looking down at the defeated lion. His shoulder flashed, and his old roaring lion was back. His roar had returned. And he knew just how to use it.
“There there little Kion. I’ll make sure, you never have to worry again.” Scar said, leaning down over the lion cub. “I’ll make everything right for you.”
Scar let out a roar over the little lion. A soft roar, that almost sounded like a purr. Kion braced himself for pain or torture, something he felt he deserved. He wasn’t prepared for the warm, comforting feeling to wash over him. It was like being bathed by his mother again. Kion sighed softly, laying against the warm stone, letting the feeling wash over him. Everywhere the warmth touched, everywhere it felt like he was being ‘washed’ his fur flattened. The soft gold color fading into his skin.
Kion looked down at his paws in aw, as his claws drew in, then each paw pad. Then his paws themselves. He wouldn’t need them any longer. He just noticed as well, that he couldn’t feel his tail either. But none of this worried him. The warmth, the comfort. It felt almost natural to be reduced to...nothing.
His eyes crossed as he watched his muzzle being pulled inwards. It felt like someone was gently pushing on his muzzle, and it was just, giving away. He heard soft crinkles from around his body, as his skin slowly hardened. And although his new body was cold, the warmth never left him.
His body rolled onto his side, of its own accord. He no longer had paws to keep himself steady, and his body was becoming more uniform. Prone to rolling, like his dad had. A warm paw stopped him from rolling off though. Kion was stopped face up, looking at Scar, who was holding him still. Until his head was slowly forced to look straight ahead.at the cavern wall.
His head pulled into his body, equal with what was once his shoulders. And his body started to grow smaller. As everything around him started looking bigger, Kion felt full. His stomach was filling up, fuller than even after a feast. A fizzy sweet liquid erupted against his taste buds until those too faded. But the taste and the fullness never faded. Even as his hearing suddenly stopped, his eyes closed one last time, and his nose stopped picking up scents. Kion was left to swim in the comforting darkness of his mind, but even that wasn’t safe. The heat increased, even though he couldn’t really feel it. And his mind grew fuzzy. But that was okay.
He didn’t have to worry about it anymore. He didn’t have to worry about anything anymore. This was his part in the circle of life. His part….as a….as….a….
Scar lifted his paw, letting the can settle gently on a pebble, so it wouldn’t roll away. On the front, it had a smiling picture of Kion, in his full glory. Still with his lion guard symbol on his shoulder, and his new scar, matching his own. Kion at his best. Below it was written “Coca Kion” in bright gold letters. Scar couldn’t help but smile.
“Don’t worry great-nephew. You’ll be having plenty more friends joining you soon.” He said with a small smirk. Before looking up at the sky. “The Pride Lands finally belong to me. Rightfully so.” He growled, before letting out a loud, massive roar. A roar heard for miles, all the way at pride rock. A roar signaling a new change. Both figuratively, and physically, for all who heard it.
Scar climbed his way up Pride Rock. The whole savannah was silent. But that was okay. Scar knew where he went wrong last time. With the hyena’s, there were too many mouths to feed. But, if it was just him….
He gazed back into the den. Along one wall were several bright yellow and tan cans. The former lioness’s. He knew better this time, that they would never follow him. So he never gave them the chance to fight. The first roar he’d let out had taken half the pridelands, and them with it.
On the other side was a stack of six cans. The former lion guard, along with their eagle friend. He had to keep the friends together after all. It took a bit of searching to find the former Lion Guard of his great-nephew. He found them along with that sufferable pig and meerkat that had interrupted his reign last time. Those two, he had no idea how they survived, but they were quickly quelled and emptied.
And that left the special can in the back. The blackened, burned-out can. Completely empty and warped. Traces of gold pain hidden behind ashy black soot. What was left of Simba, and what was instrumental in bringing him back. The Blessing of the Fruit Falls did more than just make ‘drinks for the dry season’. Each one was packed with the life force of the animal it was made of. Drinking one could last you months without food or water. Drinking a particularly strong one could even bring the dead to life.
Scar purred softly at a plan well made. He stretched himself across the rocks lazily. Now, he could spend his days as the true king of the pridelands. Hunting for whatever cans were left over from his roar. An easy, simple life of a king.
This story was requested by lionkinglover12!
Um this story contains soda tf's and themes of permanace in the tf so if oyu don't like that, um... i guess don't read it? other than that... enjoy?
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Fall of the Guard
“Till the Pride Lands end!”
“Lion Guard defend!”
“Janja! They’re catching up!” Cheezi, one of the three running hyenas said to his leader.
“What do we do Janja?!” Chunga, the bulkier of the two henchmen asked.
“Shut up furbrains! I’m thinking!” The lead Hyena, the apparent Janja, said, before skidding to a stop in the dirt. His two henchmen, Chunga and Cheezi sliding into him from behind.
“Huwezi! You’re not hunting here any more Janja!” A yellow streak of fur zoomed around the three hyenas, before skidding to a stop in front of them. It was an adolescent, female cheetah, with a symbol of a roaring lion on her left shoulder. Fuli, the swiftest in the pridelands.
“Oh yeah?! And what are you going to do? Run circles around us?” Janja growled out. “Cheezi! Chunga! Take her! We can eat cheetah tonight!”
“What does cheetah taste like?”
“Is it like zebra?”
“It doesn’t matter what she tastes like furbrains! Just get rid of her!” Janja said, smacking both the other hyena’s over the head with a paw.
“Okay, Janja!” Chunga said proudly, stepping forward, a happy, dopey grin on his slabbering face. Cheezi stepped forward right behind him with the same, hungry smile.
Fuli took a small step back. She may be fast, but a straight-out fight with two hyenas wasn’t her strength. It was….
“Twende Kiboko!” A large adolescent hippo shouted as he bowled over both the hyenas. He wore the same roaring lion symbol on his left shoulder. Beshte, the strongest in the pridelands, had come to his friend’s rescue.
“Thanks, Beshte!” Fuli shouted at the hippo, before standing firm next to him, as Cheezi and Chunga slowly got up.
“Hey! Don’t forget about me! Zuka Zama!!!!” a little honey badger shouted, before hopping off Beshte’s back with a somersault, landing on Janja’s back. “Giddy up lil hyena! Come on Janja! You can go faster than this right?!”
“Bunga! Get off!” Janja shouted, bucking like a zebra as he tried to knock the bravest in the Pride Lands off his back. The honey badger just laughed, jumping backward off the hyena, sending Janja tumbling forward into his henchman.
“How about you get off the Pride Lands!” a new voice said. This one belonging to an adolescent lion. He stepped forward, between Beshte and Bunga. The leader of the Lion Guard, and the Fiercest. Kion.
The last member fluttered down from above, landing on Beshte’s head. An egret named Ono. The Keenest of Sight, and most likely, the reason the hyenas were found.
Bunga spoke up, patting kion on the shoulder. “Why don’t you just roar them back to the outlands!”
Ono shrugged from atop Beshte’s back. “It’s not like they ever learn their lesson otherwise.”
“Fur brains! You better start running!” Janja said, fear trickling into his voice as he ran ahead.
“Run? Why?” Cheezi asked. Before his voice was drowned out by the sound of a loud roar behind them. The clouds broke into the images of many lions, and the wind blew wildly. Dust rose up around them.
But for once. They didn’t get sent flying.
“Hey, Cheezi. Kion roared at us, right? So why are we still here?”
“I dunno Chunga. But I feel weird...Like I ate a lot!”
“Me too! I like it!”
Meanwhile, kion was just as confused about the lack of flying hyenas.
“Hey um, Kion. I think your roar broke. Did you do it right?” Bunga asked, prying the lion’s maw open to look inside.
“Ack! Bunga! Stop it! I’m fine! I think. Beshte, can you deal with them?” Kion asked, batting the honey badger away from his maw.
“Sure thing Kion! Twende Kiboko!” He shouted, charging at the two giggling hyenas, sending them running away as fast as they could after Janja.
“Wait for me Big B!” Bunga shouted, chasing after the hippo and the hyenas. Kion shook his head with a small sigh.
“Ono, can you watch to make sure they get them out? You too, Fuli. I need some time to myself.” the lion said, massaging his jaw with a paw.
“Affirmative,” Ono said with a nod. “Come on Fuli. We don’t want to be behind Bunga is we can help it.” Both the egret and the cheetah gave a knowing shudder, before darting after their friends to chase out the hyenas, leaving Kion by himself.
“Why didn’t it work….” he muttered to himself.
Janja made it to the outlands quickly. After hearing the roar, he knew to skedaddle fast, or else he'd get there the more painful way. Landing on rocks was never fun. Though nowadays, the outlands weren’t nearly as safe either.
“Janja!” a voice hissed out from the darkness beneath a cleft. A red skink poked its head out, crawling from its hiding place. “Ssscar wants you ...now.” The skink said in its pompous manner. Janja never liked how the reptiles around here always acted like they were better than him.
“Yeah well, you can tell Scar that-” the hyena started, before a new hiss interrupted him.
“Tell Ssscar what...Janja?” A more sinister reply came. Ushari, Scar’s ‘right hand’ snake. The one who had the bright idea of resurrecting the tyrant lion.
“Uh. tell him...I’ll be right on my way.” Janja grumbled a bit, before looking back. “Wait, Where’s Chunga and Cheezi? I thought they were right behind me?”
“They probably got lossst. Knowing your pack, it’sss a sssuprissse you can even make it back.” Ushari hissed dismissively. “You’d better hurry. Ssscar doesss not like to be kept waiting.”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m going, I’m going!” Janja growled out, stalking his way up the rocks. His two furbrains would find their way back, they always did, even if he didn’t want them to. Up ahead was the large volcano that made up the new base of the outlander’s uneasy alliance. The float of alligators, the skinks, the pack of jackals, the flock of vultures, and Janja’s own pack of hyenas. All led by the disembodied lion spirit that now resided in the flames of the volcano.
And everything that went wrong always seemed to be his fault.
As Janja circled his way up the volcano, through the caves, he heard the deep booming voice of Scar. “Any day now, that little lion cub will be ready. And it’ll just take one little mistake to tip him over the edge.”
“And how is that supposed to be a good thing? If his roar is this bad when he’s in control, what makes it better when he’s angry?” a deep voice said, Kiburi, the leader of the crocodiles. So that’s who scar was talking to.
“Simple, my naive little crocodile. He won’t be able to control it. He won’t be able to tell friend from foe. We just have to tip him.” the floating lion said.
“And how are we supposed to do that.” the crocodile huffed out.
“Easily. When it’s time. Janja! How did the raid go.”
Janja let out a small yelp, surprised at the sudden response. How did he even know he was here? Janja slowly stepped up onto the ledge that led straight to the lion. “Oh um. It went…. Until the Lion Guard came.”
Kiburi let out a loud growl. “So you failed. Once again. How are we supposed to fight the pridelands if you can’t bring us food?!”
“I’d like to see you handle that roar!” Janja barked back.
“Silence! Both of you! Gather your packmate Janja, and go out on another raid. We need food. NOW.” Scar hissed out, flames spewing from below as Janja skulked back.
“Um..about that. I...don't know where they are. We got roared at and I assumed they flew here first, but they still haven’t made it.”
“You got roared at, but didn’t go flying?” Scar questioned.
“Well yeah, I outran it, but the other two were right behind me and then they weren’t. I don’t know?” Janja said, almost confused.
“You can’t outrun the roar! Unless….. Kiburi. Your float will attack the zebra’s.”
“But Scar, we’re too slow to-” Kiburi started, before Scar glared back at him.
“I don’t care. Your job is to attract the Lion Guard. Keep them busy. Janja, go with them. And send the vultures here. I need to speak with them.” Scar growled out. His eyes glowing as bright as the lava beneath them.
“Alright alright. But if we just get roared back. That’s on your head Scar.” Kiburi growled out. With a slap of his tail, he led his float back out the caves. Janja looked at Scar, then Kiburi, before following the crocodiles, with his tail tucked between his legs. What had he gotten himself into?
“You know. If your idea is correct, those crocodilessss won’t be coming back. Much too slow” Ushari hissed out, as he slid out from the shadows. Scar grinned widely, his ghostly teeth looking just as sharp as when they were alive.
“Fodder for the fire. If they don’t come back, they won’t get in OUR way. And it’ll prove it’s time. Fetch the vultures for me Ushari. I need some scouts for what’s about to happen.”
“Grandfather Mufasa?” Kion asked, looking up at the sky. The clouds moved, and sunlight shone through them. Thunder rumbled, despite there not being a storm nearby. And the face of an older, ancestor lion showed on the cloud.
“I’m here Kion. What troubles you?” the large, cloud lion spoke. His voice booming across the land, despite only Kion being able to hear it.
“My roar. Am I losing it? Was Zira right? Did I use it wrong?” The young lion asked. He was almost whimpering.
“You have not lost your roar. You’ve just unlocked a new power within. Do not worry young Kion. Your roar is only growing stronger.” Mufasa said with a smile.
“A new...power?” Kion asked softly.
“The Blessing of the Fruit Falls,” Mufasa spoke. “Your roar will turn your threats into a fruity drink from which those of the pridelands may partake. When my brother was of the Lion Guard, it saved us many times during the dry season. It is a blessing, not a failure.”
“A blessing...but why didn’t it-”
“Kion! It’s Un-Bunga-lievable! You’ve got to see this!” a voice interrupted Kion’s conversation, along with the rumbling of the ground. Kion looked back up at the clouds, to see Mufasa was gone, and behind him was a charging Beshte with Bunga on top of him. Fuli and Ono were keeping pace with them. And in Bunga’s paws were two round grey things.
“We were chasing them out like you said, but they just suddenly collapsed. And when we caught up, we found these.” Fuli spoke up.
Bunga shook one of the rounded things and the sound of water or some form a liquid sloshing around inside. “It sounds like its a mini watering hole inside!”
“I honestly have no clue what these are. I didn’t know hyenas could do THIS.” Ono said, fluttering down to sit by Bunga on top of Beshte, and poking one of the grey things with his beak. A dull metallic thud sounded.
“I think….that was my roar?” Kion said, almost questioning himself. “I mean, what else could it be?”
“Poa. That's so cool Kion!” Beshte said with a smile on his muzzle.
“Cool?”
“Well yeah. If they are these things now, they can’t invade the pridelands. Common knowledge really.” Ono said with a nod.
“I mean. That's true I guess, but wh-” Kion started before a familiar, annoying sound rang in his ears.
“PANIC AND RUN! PANIC AND RUN!” Shouted a voice as a blur of black and white stripes ran past the guard.
“Woah Woah! Hold up! What's going on? Was it another talking rock?” Fuli spat, clearly annoyed with the zebra again.
“No! There are no such things as talking rocks. Everyone knows that. Now talking tree’s on the other hand…” The zebra started.
“Focus! What started your ‘Panic and run’.” Kion asked, raising his voice a bit.
“Well, you could be nicer about it! Kiburi is on our grazing grounds!”
“And...you can’t just outrun them?” Bunga asked.
“Well, of course, we can! But our greatly refined instincts tell us to-”
“Panic and Run. We know. Why don’t you go continue that while we deal with the problem.” Fuli growled a bit.
“Fuli, play nice. We’ll take care of Kiburi, you get your herd to calm down.” Kion affirmed, turning back to his friends. “Ono, can you spot them for us?”
“Affirmative.” The egret said, flapping his wings a few times before taking to the air. A sheen covered his eyes as his vision focused before he called down. “Kiburi and his float are at the edge of the grazing grounds, Janja is with them! Not far from here!”
“Alright! Lead the way, Ono! Till the Pride Lands end!”
“Lion Guard defend!”
“How are we supposed to catch zebras?!” Kiburi growled. His tail slapped on the ground in anger as he crawled as fast as he could after the distant herd. His two companions were following closely, and Janja was slightly ahead. “It’s almost like he WANTS us to fail.”
“Maybe he has a plan?” Janja asked slowly, almost as if he wasn’t used to thinking things through.
“Fat chance. What would a lion know about how crocodiles work.” Kiburi hissed at the hyena.
“Well. Scar did tell us to distract the guard, maybe it’s some sort of plan?” one of the other crocodiles asked.
“And who would carry out that plan? The vultures are weak. The skinks can’t do anything. The jackals are out looking for food. And Janja is….Janja.”
“Hey! I heard that!” the hyena growled.
“You were supposed to!” Kiburi snorted back. “The fact is, all of you are useless without MY float keeping you afloat!”
“So…If you’re the best the outlands has to offer, does that mean we win?” a familiar voice asked. “Cause we beat your scaley butts all the time!” the honey badger said as he jumped off Beshte’s back. The Lion Guard had appeared while they were arguing.
“Lion Guard….” The lead crocodile growled. “Scar better really have a plan, or else,” he grumbled under his breath, before jutting his muzzle forwards as threateningly as he could. “How great of you to join us.”
“And if you know what's good for you, you’ll be leaving….now,” Kion said, taking a step forward, his teeth bared.
“And how do you plan on making us huh? We outnumber you four to five!” Tamka, the bigger of the two hench-crocs, said firmly. Before he was smacked by Kiburi’s tail, on the snout.
“Five is more than four you dimwit!”
“Wait, it is?” Bunga asked, hopping off Beshte and setting the two grew cans on the ground, before strolling up to Kiburi. “I thought we just beat you while we were outnumbered. Well, that kinda takes the wind out of our victories.” He said slowly. Bunga leaned an elbow on Kiburi’s snout, ignoring the scowl the crocodile gave.
“Did we outnumber you the time where Big B sent you all flying? Oh, oh! Or the time Fuli chased you all off from the wetlands? Or the time you and the jackals tried to hunt the zebras together and Kion roared you all away?” Bunga asked almost smugly. “I mean, if we outnumbered you EVERY time, that's just kinda furbrained of you.”
“That's it, I’m eating him!” Kiburi growled out, his maw springing open, giving Bunga the perfect time to use it as a springboard to backflip out of the way.
“What's wrong? Oh! Should I have said scalebrained?” Bunga asked with a laugh, rolling on the grass a bit. “I crack myself up! Maybe I shoulda been the Funniest in the Pride Lands?!” He asked, turning to look at his friends.
“NO!” All four of them said with a small groan. Kion sighed internally.
“Hey Kiburi, maybe we should do as they said? I got whatever they had while you were distracting them.” Janja spoke up, dropping the cans from his maw next to the Crocodile. “Maybe they’re impor- why is Chunga on this one?” He asked, stopping himself as he looked them over.
Both cans were sleek and grey around the most part. Flat on two ends, while rounded like a stone in the middle, with what looked like a loose twig on the top. On the side was an image of Chunga’s smiling face, while the other had Cheezi’s. Below each face were words spelling out Chunga Cola, and Cheezi Cherry in a light brown, almost the color of their spots.
“What's going on here?” Janja asked, looking up.
“Oh yeah! Kion! You can test out your new roar!” Bunga said, elbowing the young lion.
"But, I’m only supposed to use it for threats. Would these four really be considered threats?” Kion asked, glancing up.
“I dunno, but it would stop them from making the zebra’s ‘Panic and Run’ from now on,” Beshte affirmed, glancing back at Kion. “Why not give it a shot.”
“Yeah! Come on Kion! You have to try it at SOME point!” pleaded the honey badger.
“Alright, All of you get back. I don’t want to have to carry you home.” the adolescent lion said, as he stepped forward, ignoring the silent ‘Yes!’ from Bunga.
“All right Kiburi, this is your last time invading the Pride Lands!” growled Kion, bracing his paws.
“Go on, I’m not afraid of your roar! We’ll just be back!” The crocodile hissed out, before charging forward as fast as his stubby legs could carry him. He pivoted on his front legs, swinging his tail around to Hit the lion in the muzzle when the Roar sounded.
Kion let out the fiercest roar he could. The wind rushing past, the trees bending in the wind. But instead of being sent flying, something else just as spectacular happened.
Kiburi’s tail shrunk back on itself like a turtle going back in its shell, just barely missing Kion as the crocodile spun around. It wasn’t just his tail either. As the strike continued to follow through, Kion saw Kiburi’s legs pulling in, disappearing in the scales, that were soon becoming shiny, like a rock after a light, sunny rain. Kiburi’s muzzle retracted, flattening to be as flat as a baboons face, before pulling in further than that, tugging his head back with it. All the while, the crocodile shrank in place. His body compressing down. His face faded to a dull gray like his tail, and his sides were perfectly smooth, and as grey as his scales.
All that was left of Kiburi was a can, spinning in place. About twelve ounces, the size of a large river pebble. The whole process had only taken a few seconds. The can stopped spinning in front of Kion, showing the face of a glaring Kiburi, along with the words ‘Kiburi Kokoa’ on a splash of green scales. The roar had worked.
“Poa!” Beshte said, almost excitedly. Kion puffed out his chest a bit, feeling more confident in his new roar now.
“That's one threat down! Three to go!” the lion said, before turning to the two leftover crocodiles. “Let's start with you two!” He said loudly, before opening his maw and letting out a loud roar.
“Tamka! I think we should get out of here!” The smaller of the two leftover crocs shouted over the roar, before turning to run, only to smack his snout on the ground. His front legs were already pulling into his scales and fading away. The smaller gator crossed his eyes, watching as his snout shortened, pulling inwards. His nose smoothed over, and the rigidity of his scales seemed to fade, until his entire snout pulled out of his view, growing flush with his face. Nduli tries to thrash his tail, kick his legs, anything to move away from the roar, but his whole body was going numb, almost pleasantly so. Like sleeping before the dry season.
Unlike his comrade, the dimwitted Tamka almost welcomed the feeling. The numbness ran over his mind, as his body started to dwindle in size. Any thoughts of running or fighting back were silenced easily. The bulk of his belly became uniform, cylindrical. Easier to roll across the ground. And his tail was pulling back into his body. Tamka let out a small sigh of relief as his legs pulled into his body. He didn’t have to carry his bulk around anymore. He didn’t have to do anything. He could relax, let someone else take care of him, help with the circle of life. Yeah.
As he looked to the side, he saw his smaller, well not so small now, friend fading away. The last niblets of him disappearing on the smooth body of the crocodile can. He would be like that, free of worry, free of….of...thinking...of….
The last bit of Tamka’s scales smoothed over. His eyes closing for good. All that was left were a pair of green cans, slowly rolling down the grassy slope, back towards the Lion Guard. Kion let a small, cocky grin cover his muzzle, as he turned to the last ‘threat’.
Janja let out a small gulp and a weak laugh. “H-hey! We’re all friends, right? Circle of life and all! How about I promise not to come to the Pride Lands ever again, and you let me go?” the hyena asked, backing up slowly.
“That’s not going to work this time Janja. You’re never going to bother the Pride Lands again. It's time for you’re part in the circle of life.” Kion growled out. Janja immediately turned to run, but he didn’t get far as the immense power of the roar sounded behind him, making him stumble and falling flat on the ground.
Janja let out a low groan, struggling to his paws. An odd, almost bubbly feeling, growing in his stomach. He let out a small, unintended burp, devolving the hyena into a fit of giggles as the fruity taste hit his mouth. He gently rubbed his belly with a paw, feeling the fur fade into cold, hard metal. It was almost numb to his paw pads, and the numbness was spreading over his body. Janja let out another small burp, his body shrinking as the air escaped. Each exhale left less and less of the hyena, while he never felt the need to inhale. Slowly, his paws started pulling in, until he could no longer reach his own, rounding belly. His back paws were also pulling in, with his tail wrapping around his belly, melting into the metal.
Janja couldn’t fight back against the feelings. He felt full for the first time ever. And hyenas were never full. It was almost, Intoxicating. He could get used to this. Even if he was just...just a can. Like Cheezi and Chunga. Like...like….
His thoughts melted as his head smooshed down, flattening into a circular top, with an easy to open tab. His fur was all but gone, the last bits of it fading into grey metal. Janja’s happy, smiling muzzle on the front, above big bold text saying “Janja Juice.” The can gave a small, stuttering shake, trying to balance itself on the slope, before falling over, rolling into the two green cans, and pushing them all further down the hill.
Bunga quickly ran up, stopping the trio of rolling cans with a paw. “Let's see. Tropical Tamka, Nduli Nectarine, Janja Juice. What even is a nectarine?”
“Its a type of citrus fruit. Like and orange.but it looks more like a peach. Common knowledge really.” Ono said with a shrug, landing next to Bunga with a flutter, looking at the cans with curiosity. “So your roar can really do this now?”
“I wonder what a nectarine tastes like,” Bunga said with a grin, grabbing the can. Only to have it smacked out of his paw by Kion.
“No Bunga! We can save these for the dry season. Think of all the animals we can help if we stockpile drinks like this.” the lion said. “Hey Ono, can you spot any more threats? The more we get, the easier the dry season will be.”
“Affirmative!” Ono said, before taking back to the sky.
“If nothing else, you can use Bunga.” Fuli teased.
“Cool! I’m game! Roar me Kion!” Bunga said cheerfully, puffing his chest out.
“No! I’m not roaring you. Fuli, don’t egg him on.”
“Awww…” both the cheetah and the honey badger simultaneously pouted.
“Kion! I see Makucha and his leap! They’re terrorizing the giraffes.” Ono called down from above.
“Alright! Till the Pride Lands end!”
“Lion Guard defend!” The lion guard shouted, heading towards the giraffe grazing grounds, not noticing that flying even higher than Ono, the vultures were watching everything. And with a full report ready, they were now heading back to Scar. The end of the Pride Lands were close at hand.
“You were right Scar. Kiburi and Janja...the roar got rid of them. How are we supposed to fight that?” Mzingo said as he landed on a ledge.
“My dear Mzingo, we don’t fight such power. We just...direct it.” Scar said with a wide grin. “We direct it with anger, doubt, and sorrow.”
“And how, pray tell, do you expect us to do that? We are one vote away from leaving this for good.” the vulture said, his head held high for his acting parliament.
“You don’t have to do anything. Just start a spark. Do you think you can manage that?” Scar said, his ghostly, flame-filled head leaning close.
“Uh, all votes to start a spark on the Pride Lands? Good? Motion carried! We’ll be right on that!” Mzingo said hurriedly, before taking off into the air once more.
Ushari slithered back to the front, hissing softly. “If you’ll forgive my rudeness Scar, how will a fire help us now? Our assault didn’t do much more than anger the Pride Landers last time.”
“Simple. No one can twist a lion's mind as easily as me. After all, when we’re this late in the plan, if I want it done right, I’d better do it myself.” Scar cackled, his form fading as too did his laughter, leaving it echoing around the cavern.
Ushari let out a small shiver, rattling his whole body. Something felt off about all of this. Something horrible. And he didn’t like it.
“Parliament! Ready! Drop!” The shouts sounded through the air. Kion looked up in shock at the vultures flying high above. Several sticks swathed in flames dropped, easily spotted against the darkening sky. A few hit the trees, lighting the dry leaves instantly, while more landed in the brittle grass.
The fire hissed, moving as fast as a cheetah, snaking around the grasslands. A fire had started.
“Bunga! You and Fuli get the animals clear! Beshte, knock over the burning trees, we can’t let the fire leap through the treetops! Ono, keep an eye out for strays, and don’t let Mzingo drop any more flames! We just have to hold out for the storm!” Kion shouted, instantly taking command of the situation. They didn’t have time for frivolities. Not in the dry season.
“Till the Pride Lands end!”
“Lion Guard defend!” They all shouted, before moving their own separate ways. Bunga jumped on Fuli’s back, and both of them raced the flames rising in the grass, Bunga shouting out for any animals to escape. Ono took to the skies, keeping a careful watch, and pinpointing stray animals to Fuli and Bunga. Beshte rammed into one of the flaming trees, the whole thing creaking and groaning as it tumbled down, landing with a crash. The upwelling of dust almost putting out the flaming branches itself.
Kion nodded softly. They should be able to survive this attack. And now it was his turn to help. He ran over to where the fire had started, and braced himself to roar, before a thin serpentine flame branched off, heading straight for him.
Kion jumped backward as the flame streaked past, before rising up in a large wall. The flame though, it kept going, in a wide circle. Almost like it was a real snake. A living fire.
“Heyvi Kabisa! What’s going on?” Kion shouted as the fire circled him completely, before raising up, as high as the treetops. The roars and hisses of the flames sounded almost like a stampede surrounding him. Kion backed his way into the center of the flames.
“Kion! Are you okay?!” He heard shouted from behind the flames. Beshte was there.
“I’m fine! I’m okay! Just trapped.” Kion shouted back.
“We’ll get you out of there! Just hold on!” He heard Bunga shout back.
“Tsk tsk tsk. What a situation you’ve gotten yourself into, little prince.” A dark voice said behind him. Kion whirled around, growling a bit. Sitting on his haunches behind him was Scar. only, different. He was made entirely out of red and black flames, his eyes glowing a bright, flickering yellow. His pelt kept shifting and waving.
“Scar!” Kion hissed out, the fur on his back raising. “So you’re behind the fire.”
Scar simply smiled and got to his paws, before circling slowly around the fire. Kion scooted his way back, keeping Scar as far from him as they circled. “I might be, or I might not be. Either way, it's here, and you’re trapped. Unable to help. You still have much to learn.”
His voice crackled and snapped, like the fire he was made of. It was eerie, almost demon-like. Kion let out another soft growl. “It’s over Scar. Your armies will fall. I have a new power now!”
“Ah yes. The Blessing of the Fruit Falls. I know all about that little trick.” Scar almost snarled. “But, can you really control it? The roar that turns the body and spirit into liquid life for the Pride Lands.”
“Of course I can control it! I’ve been practicing!” Kion hissed. Thunder rumbled in the distance, causing both lions to perk their ears.
“Ah yes, practicing. That's exactly what you need. When there are no do-overs. No take-backs. One misstep. And your friends will be nothing. The pridelands will be nothing. Can you really manage that?” Scar hissed out, stopping his circling, causing Kion to stop as well.
Kion paused a bit, before growling back. “I can control it. I’m not you. I won’t backstab the Lion Guard.”
Scar just smirked, turning his back to Kion. “If you say so, but, if you can control it, why haven't you used it on the flames yet? You could easily escape if you tried. Yet…. here you are… powerless before me. And without that roar… your precious Pride Lands will fall easily.” Scar held up a paw as if steadying the flames on his claws. “Without that roar, you are nothing.” He said with a smirk.
“I still have the roar! Maybe I should silence you for good here and now!” Kion growled louder. The thunder rumbled once more, lighting streaking through the air, lighting up the faces of the lions now in the clouds.
“Ah, that would work, if not for one thing…” Scar started, only for an ear-splitting roar of sound to cut him out, his form flickered in the wind, and a hole blew open in the flames behind Scar. A hole that showed the rest of the lion guard. Beshte, Ono, Bunga and Fuli, all doing their best to put out the fire. Only for the roar to rush through them. Ono fell off Besthe’s back, groaning, and Bunga held his stomach, letting out a soft burp. “My spirit is in the volcano, not here.” Scar said with a loud laugh. His form hissed as the first raindrops fell, steaming in the air before the downpour started.
Scars laugh echoed, even as his form vanished into smoke. Kion let out a loud gasp, dashing through the remaining smoke of Scar, pouncing over the opening in the wall of simmering flames. “Guys, guys I’m so sorry! I just… I…” he stuttered. “I’ll find a way to fix this!”
“Its okay Kion you didn’t mean t-uuurp!....mean to,” Fuli said with a groan. Her body condensed where she stood, getting smaller, as small as Ono even. Her tail snaked around her paws as she was forced to sit on her haunches. Her fur flattened into a cold sheen of metal. “At least I don’t...have to worry…..about…..getting…..wet….” She said, her voice getting quieter as the air inside her vanished, filled instead with liquid juice. Her head flattened into the familiar shape of can, tab and all. The yellow can shook for a moment, before falling over. Fresh Fuli was written under the image of her smiling face.
“Hapana. I don’t feel so good.” Ono said, his feathers were already flat and shiny. His wings pulled to his side tightly. His whole body rounded out, cylindrical, and his legs pulled up into the fading fluff of his body. His head pulled down as well. Thoughts faded from his mind. All the knowledge he had that helped the Lion Guard for so long, faded into nothing but bubbling juice. Ono’s face showed up on the white and yellow can, with Ono Orange right over it.
“Fuli! Ono! I’m so sorry!” Kion shouted, pawing at the cans, trying to get any response.
“This is so un-Bunga-lievably cool.” Bunga groaned out. He was lying on his back as his limbs pulled into his body. He let out a loud burp, giggling to himself softly. His head tilted back as before being squished down. His tail wagged softly behind him, before that too faded away. His fur hardened along his body, becoming nothing more than a blue and white glaze. A softly bubbling could be heard from inside him. “Z-zuka Zama,” Bunga said softly before his maw shut permanently. His features disappeared completely, leaving a blue can, with a white streak going down the middle. Bunga’s image with a thumbs up appeared, along with “Un-Bunga-lievable Berry” as the name.
The transformation hit Beshte the most. His big size was quickly scrunched down. Shrinking in steps almost, his legs gave out from under him, leaving him flat on his belly. “So not..Poa….Uuuurp.” His belly rumbles as he let out a small burp, his stomach bubbling and gurgling as his insides shifted into nothing but liquid. His limp legs pulled in, leaving small images of them on his sides, and his nose flattened, pulling back into his head, and taking his head back with it. His mind faltered, and thinking paused. He was the strongest, he could take it, but...but...he was...just a can...juice...for the circle of life…. For…. His body rolled into the other three cans. A grey can, a bit larger than the others, but still just as lifeless. Beshte smiled as a picture, Best Besthe shown across his flank. Nothing but a can. Forever.
“Bunga….Beshte… I...can fix this… I can! I have to!” Kion said, almost in tears. The rain was pouring harder. The dry season had finally ended….and so had the Lion Guard.
“Kion! Kion!!!” A voice shouted. Kion turned, the can’s still cradled between his paws, and saw Simba running towards him. “I saw the fire from Pride Rock. Is everyone ok?” He asked before he looked down at the cans. “What happened?”
“It’s all my fault….all my fault… Scar was right. I couldn’t control the new roar and….”
“Scar was here?!” the King growled.
Kion nodded slowly. The tears covering his face were hidden by the rain covering his fur. “He...he was right. I...I roared and...my friends….” Kion said, his voice cracking as he looked down at the four cans.
“It’s not your fault Kion. This was Scar. All of this was him.” Simba told him. His gently leaned down, nuzzling his son’s head. “And we’ll get him back for it.” He growled.
“We...we will?”
“You and I are going to the outlands. And we are going to finish him. Once and for all.” Simba affirmed. Kion nodded back softly, before looking back down at his friends. What was left of them? “If he knows about this power. He may know how to change them back.” Simba continued.
“He….he might. You….you’re right dad. Can….can we put them in a safe place first?” Kion asked. A bit more confidence appearing in his voice.
“Let's take them to Hakuna Matata Falls. Pumba and Timone can keep them safe. Until we can bring them back.” Simba offered, before bending his head down to pick up the Bunga and Beshte cans. “And we will bring them back. I promise.”
“Alright, dad. Lets…. let's do this.” Kion said softly, glaring at the volcano in the distance.
The trek up the volcano was uneventful. It was almost like they were wanted there. But… it also felt lonely. Bunga wasn’t bouncing around making jokes. Ono wasn’t keeping watch. Beshte wasn’t pushing the boulders out of the way. Fuli wasn’t running up ahead complaining how slow they were. It was just Kion...Kion and Simba. Alone.
Kion looked up at their goal. They were here, at the volcano. The cave was a few tail lengths away. Simba stepped forward first. “We’ll finish this. And we’ll find a way to save your friends. Don’t worry.” Simba said softly, his tail landing on Kions shoulder gently, before he walked forward, disappearing into the darkness.
Kion made a small gulp before following. Without his friends, he didn’t feel very ‘fierce’ but, he was here for them. For all the Pride Lands.
The darkness opened up to a fiery light. Scar was waiting, sitting on the ledge. No longer in his ghostly head form, but now in the same form, he used in the pridelands. His fur flickered and glowed like embers, leaving shadows all over the place.
“Welcome, welcome. So, you’ve come to take out the ‘roots’?” Scar spoke in a calm, but cynical manner. As if he planned all of this.
Simba took a small stride forward, baring his teeth. “We’ve come to stop you Scar, once and for all,” he growled out. Scar laughed a bit at that, striding forward until he was almost nose to nose with Simba.
“You’re free to try, little cub. But you’ve already killed me once, can you really kill a ghost?” Scar asked, before looking as Kion. “You, on the other hand, you have a chance. If you can bear to try.” He cackled.
Kion shuddered a bit more. He didn’t want to hit his dad. But if his roar coul-
While distracted, he never noticed Ushari. The snake had snuck up on the young lion, before lunging at him. A bite on his eye, just like Scar said. That's all he needed to do. And the blinding pain interrupted Kion’s thoughts. Blood dripped into his eye, the new scar prominent against his fur as he yowled in pain.
“Kion!” Simba shouted. Before he let out a gasp. Jackals came from every shadow and crack, surrounding the lion. Forcing him backward, away from Kion and Scar. It was a trap.
Kion shook his head, splattering drops of blood across the rocks. Rage filled his head, an unnatural rage. He wiped the blood from his eye with a paw and glared at Scar.
“Sisi ni Sawa, Kion. Now, we are the same.” Scar said gleefully. “That anger you feel. That pain. You know what it's like. That Scar marks you as a failure to your Lion Guard, a failure to the Pride Lands. You are just like me!” he cackled out, leaning in close to Kion.
Kion yowled and made a swipe through Scar’s face, his paw coming back blackened with soot, passing harmlessly through him. “I’ll never be like you!” He growled out, only causing Scar to laugh more.
“Really? You turned on your friends. You led the king into my clutches. You are more like me than you realize.”
“But I...I didn’t…” Kion stammered, his resolve faltering a bit.
“Don’t listen to him Kion!” Simba growled, swiping at the jackals as they backed him up along the edge overlooking the lava pool below.
“Can you honestly say you hadn’t thought about what it would be like without them? All their power only suppressed your own.” Scar said, baring his teeth. “You’ll grow far stronger without them.”
“That’s not what I-”
“And your father. His rule was soft. He left you to deal with his problems. Can your sister really rule either? Wouldn’t it be safer if the fiercest in the Pride Lands ruled?” Scar inquired, before turning around, his back to Kion. “It’s only natural you’d make a power grab.”
“But I….I didn’t. I just...it was an accident.” Kion started, stumbling over his words.
“Oh. An accident. That makes it all better. You accidentally got rid of your ‘friends’. The Lion Guard. You ‘accidentally’ brought your father to his doom. You naive child.”
“I’m not naive!” Kion said with a soft growl. Before his mind sparked with a memory. The volcano. It held Scar's soul. He could roar it away, that's what Scar said. He could get rid of all these insecurities. He could get rid of everything!
He let the rage inside him boil over, shattering his remorse, his inhibitions. He didn’t see the jackals, or his father anymore. He saw only Scar, his target. The maniacal grin he wore like he knew he’d just won.
Kion didn’t even think to hold back, he just let out the biggest, rage-fueled roar of his life. He smirked with satisfaction as the roar dispersed the flame-made lion, like dust in the wind. Until he saw what was happening behind him. The jackals surrounding his father were moaning, and Simba was staring wide-eyed at Kion, trying to steady himself on the edge, while holding his chest with a paw.
Pop! Clank! Crinkle!
Sounds of light metal forming and shaping filled the cavern, as one by one, jackals retracted into themselves, leaving brown colors can’s where they had stood. Several cans rolled down the ledge, stopping at Kion’s paws.
Behind them, teetering on the edge, Kion watched as his father struggled. Simba let out a short gasp as his muzzle pulled inward, silencing him. His legs grew stubbier, pulling into his body and fading, leaving the proud lion on his side. His mane flattened like his fur, becoming smooth metal, brown on the top, and bright gold in the middle. And then his entire body compressed, getting smaller and smaller. Until with a clink, naught but a can remained. King Kola was displayed on the front, under an image of the smiling former king.
The can stood on the edge of the ledge, barely clinging on for a few moments, before falling off into the basin.
“Dad! No!” Kion shouted, dashing up to the edge, only to watch the can disappear into the fire and smoke of the volcano.
A Deep booming laugh sounded, echoing across the caldera. “Sisi ni Sawa, Kion! We are the Same! We both have scars, we both killed the tame!” Scar’s voice sung out. Kion stared into the swirling smoke, letting out a choked gasp.
He….he killed his own father. He….he….
A paw... A real flesh and fur paw settled on his flank. And Scar’s voice whispered in his ear.
“You killed the king, Kion. No one will accept you now.” he hissed. “You’ll be thrown out of the Pride Lands. Just, like, me.”
Kion turned around, shock carved on his muzzle. Standing before him, was Scar, in the flesh. Not his smokey form, ancestor form. Not filled with flames, but as the strong proud lion, he once was.
“It...It was an accident….” Was all Kion managed to choke out.
Scar leaned in close, almost comforting even. “Do you really think anyone outside will care? They will see you and not the king. They will find your friends. They will know you are not the protector you promise.”
“B-but I…”
Scar leaned close, hissing in Kion’s ear. “You are not worthy of the Roar.”
Kion stumbled back, sitting on his haunches. Sitting where his father last stood. “I’m...not...worthy…” He mumbled, almost questioning himself.
“Of course you aren’t. You not only killed your lion guard. Your ‘friends’, but you also simultaneously killed your king, while also giving me his life. Oh, did I neglect to mention that fact?” Scar said with a small smirk.
“Wh-...what do I do?” Kion asked softly, his voice trembling.
“Quite simple really. You just...give it up.”
“Give….up?” The younger lion looked up, tears in his eyes.
“Yes. give up. And join your friends among the stars or whatever Mufasa used to say.” Scar said. “Simple really.”
“I can...join my friends..” The younger lion looked down, the roaring lion on his shoulder flashed a bit, fading in and out.
“And don’t forget your father.” The older lion said idly. “You’d join him too.” That was all it took. The symbol of the lion guard faded from Kion’s shoulder. The will to fight completely drained from him. The will to protect gone. All that was left was the will to give up.
Scar smiled, looking down at the defeated lion. His shoulder flashed, and his old roaring lion was back. His roar had returned. And he knew just how to use it.
“There there little Kion. I’ll make sure, you never have to worry again.” Scar said, leaning down over the lion cub. “I’ll make everything right for you.”
Scar let out a roar over the little lion. A soft roar, that almost sounded like a purr. Kion braced himself for pain or torture, something he felt he deserved. He wasn’t prepared for the warm, comforting feeling to wash over him. It was like being bathed by his mother again. Kion sighed softly, laying against the warm stone, letting the feeling wash over him. Everywhere the warmth touched, everywhere it felt like he was being ‘washed’ his fur flattened. The soft gold color fading into his skin.
Kion looked down at his paws in aw, as his claws drew in, then each paw pad. Then his paws themselves. He wouldn’t need them any longer. He just noticed as well, that he couldn’t feel his tail either. But none of this worried him. The warmth, the comfort. It felt almost natural to be reduced to...nothing.
His eyes crossed as he watched his muzzle being pulled inwards. It felt like someone was gently pushing on his muzzle, and it was just, giving away. He heard soft crinkles from around his body, as his skin slowly hardened. And although his new body was cold, the warmth never left him.
His body rolled onto his side, of its own accord. He no longer had paws to keep himself steady, and his body was becoming more uniform. Prone to rolling, like his dad had. A warm paw stopped him from rolling off though. Kion was stopped face up, looking at Scar, who was holding him still. Until his head was slowly forced to look straight ahead.at the cavern wall.
His head pulled into his body, equal with what was once his shoulders. And his body started to grow smaller. As everything around him started looking bigger, Kion felt full. His stomach was filling up, fuller than even after a feast. A fizzy sweet liquid erupted against his taste buds until those too faded. But the taste and the fullness never faded. Even as his hearing suddenly stopped, his eyes closed one last time, and his nose stopped picking up scents. Kion was left to swim in the comforting darkness of his mind, but even that wasn’t safe. The heat increased, even though he couldn’t really feel it. And his mind grew fuzzy. But that was okay.
He didn’t have to worry about it anymore. He didn’t have to worry about anything anymore. This was his part in the circle of life. His part….as a….as….a….
Scar lifted his paw, letting the can settle gently on a pebble, so it wouldn’t roll away. On the front, it had a smiling picture of Kion, in his full glory. Still with his lion guard symbol on his shoulder, and his new scar, matching his own. Kion at his best. Below it was written “Coca Kion” in bright gold letters. Scar couldn’t help but smile.
“Don’t worry great-nephew. You’ll be having plenty more friends joining you soon.” He said with a small smirk. Before looking up at the sky. “The Pride Lands finally belong to me. Rightfully so.” He growled, before letting out a loud, massive roar. A roar heard for miles, all the way at pride rock. A roar signaling a new change. Both figuratively, and physically, for all who heard it.
Scar climbed his way up Pride Rock. The whole savannah was silent. But that was okay. Scar knew where he went wrong last time. With the hyena’s, there were too many mouths to feed. But, if it was just him….
He gazed back into the den. Along one wall were several bright yellow and tan cans. The former lioness’s. He knew better this time, that they would never follow him. So he never gave them the chance to fight. The first roar he’d let out had taken half the pridelands, and them with it.
On the other side was a stack of six cans. The former lion guard, along with their eagle friend. He had to keep the friends together after all. It took a bit of searching to find the former Lion Guard of his great-nephew. He found them along with that sufferable pig and meerkat that had interrupted his reign last time. Those two, he had no idea how they survived, but they were quickly quelled and emptied.
And that left the special can in the back. The blackened, burned-out can. Completely empty and warped. Traces of gold pain hidden behind ashy black soot. What was left of Simba, and what was instrumental in bringing him back. The Blessing of the Fruit Falls did more than just make ‘drinks for the dry season’. Each one was packed with the life force of the animal it was made of. Drinking one could last you months without food or water. Drinking a particularly strong one could even bring the dead to life.
Scar purred softly at a plan well made. He stretched himself across the rocks lazily. Now, he could spend his days as the true king of the pridelands. Hunting for whatever cans were left over from his roar. An easy, simple life of a king.
Category Story / Transformation
Species Lion
Gender Any
Size 50 x 50px
This is perfect. Not only does he finally get his happiness of ruling the pridelands again, he also manages to consume the guard’s and Simba’s souls (literary). And nice touch with Scar absorbing Simba’s soul from the can to gain life and making Kion lose all hope. Kion might be powerful with his friends and family, but without them, he’s nothing. In short: Scar’s best plan ever and it worked!
eep! thank you >///< gah. i didn't expect praise like this! Im glad you enjoyed it though! *nods nods*
I just love it when Scar really uses his brain to think through everything. I love Scar so much; like a father. It’s also a pleasure when he get voracious. Always wins my heart through his stomach if you know what I mean
YEah. I Wish he used his brain more often. Lion guard, he was a monster! Like, unstoppable! He woulda won if it wasn't for Plot armour!
When first I saw him get defeated in the first episode of season 3 I couldn’t stop crying. All that hope for him winning for nothing!😭😭
I know, I like to imagine what would happen, it’s with the season 3 guard without the scarred Kion right?
I would asume so! I completely forgot aobut them at hte time! ;w;
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