Hi everyone. I am so sorry about the long wait. I have been really busy lately but I hope this chapter puts all your anticipation at ease for a while.
Also, because I started writing this book (and the whole series) before Season 3 of the lion guard, there are some things that the series won't really match up within the show. I just want you all to keep that in mind. Hopefully, the wait for the next chapter won't be too long so until then...Later Gators!
Rafiki took Nyota and the other cubs to PrideRock. Simba, Kiara, Kovu, Zuri, Kion and Fuli were already there waiting by the entrance to the lion guard lair.
"It is time!" Rafiki cheers, throwing his arms into the air in joy.
Seeing her parents and grandfather waiting to see who is the next leader of the lion guard made Nyota's stomach churn. She never thought she would be chosen for this responsibility mainly because of Siku's constant boasting about him being the leader. Nyota looks over her shoulder at her brother. For the first time in his life, he walked slow and his head was hung low. Nyota couldn't help but feel guilty. He was so sure he would be the next leader but now he knew he was wrong.
"Are you kids ok?" Fuli asks as she nuzzles her cubs.
"We're fine mum," Siku replies.
"We got worried when we heard the roar of the elders. What happened out there?" Kion asks.
They explain what happened. Kion couldn't help but look at his cubs with a worried look. They were about his age when he got the roar and he remembered how dangerous some of their adventures were. Had he prepared them enough?
Rafiki sets a reassuring hand on his shoulder, "They'll be fine Kion".
Kion nods, "Come Nyota, Siku, we have much to discuss".
Rafiki moves the vines to the lair of the lion guard and Kion and Fuli walk inside. Their cubs follow in behind them. They had never been inside their parents' lair. The hidden lair was bigger than they thought and paintings of Kion and his guard, as well as past guards adventures, were scattered on every wall. A large pond sat in the centre with rocks at the back for lion guard members to sit on. Nyota couldn't find the words to show how amazed she was.
"The lions of the past have chosen you Nyota to be the next leader of the lion guard. You must learn how to control the roar and establish a team of the fiercest, the fastest, the bravest, the strongest and the keenest of sight. As the leader, that makes you the fiercest," Kion explains, "I want you to be careful and choose your members wisely. The roar can be used for good as well as evil".
"I know dad. You've told us this before. Scar used the roar for evil and destroyed his lion guard. The lions of the past took away his roar," Nyota replies.
Kion smiles at how well she remembers, "You will always have someone to turn to for help, Nyota. You're not alone. Remember that".
Nyota nods and looks at her brother, "Siku? You're the fastest person I know apart from mum. It would be wrong to not have you on my team. I know you weren't chosen to be the leader of the lion guard but I know you should at least be a part of it".
Siku looks at her smiles, "Thanks, sis. I won't let you down".
Outside the cave, Zuri speaks to her own cubs. Ever since Scar and the outlanders had taken over the Pridelands and her mate, Roho, left for his safety, all Zuri wanted was to help keep the Pridelands safe. She knew she wasn't the best of fighters but she hoped her sons could be the fighters and protectors she wanted them to be.
"Nguvu, Moyo," Zuri started, "If you are not chosen as lion guard members, I still want you to help them. You both know how to fight and I know you are both destined for something great. What it is, I don't know but I have a feeling it's with the lion guard. Your father would want you to do this too if he were here".
"We understand mum. We'll do it. We'll make you proud," says Nguvu.
"We'll do our best," Moyo continues.
Zuri smiles and nuzzles them both. The vines covering the lair's entrance drape across Kion, Fuli, Nyota, Siku's shoulders as they exit. Kion and Fuli lick and nuzzle their own cubs.
"Good luck finding your teammates," Kion whispers to his daughter and gives her an encouraging wink.
Nyota returns the wink and says, "thanks dad" before running off Siku.
"Go on you two," Zuri says as she ushes her sons to follow.
Nguvu and Moyo quickly run after their friends in hopes of catching up as everyone at the lair leaves to continue on with their day.
"Any idea who you want in our team?" Siku asks as he and his sister run across the Pridelands with Nguvu and Moyo not far behind.
"I think I already have a few in mind. Should we slow down for them?" Nyota replies and looks over her shoulder at the two lions running behind them.
Siku groans and slows down. Nyota knew he hated to slow down for others but at least he was being nice for once.
"So where are we going oh fierce leader?" Nguvu asks with a huff from the running.
"The waterhole of course. That's where most of the animals go during the day".
Soon enough they arrive at the waterhole, Siku and Nyota barely breaking a sweat, unlike Moyo and Nguvu who were breathing heavily.
Nyota scouts the area for anyone with strength, bravery and keen eyesight. She didn't have to look long before she sees someone. Someone strong. Ahead of them, they see an elephant lifting huge bulders with his trunk to make a new resting place for other animals. The elephant was light grey with long ivory tusks and dark green eyes. He grunts loudly as he lifts another boulder and moves it to the side.
"Kweli?" Moyo questions as he looks at Nyota.
"He's strong but relatively friendly and gentle unless you get on his bad side," Nyota explains.
"Good choice. Why didn't I think of him first?" Siku replies.
Moyo nods and runs over to Kweli and jumps onto the next boulder that Kweli picks up. Kweli continues to carefully move the boulder, knowing full well that the cub was there.
"Hi, Moyo. Is there something I can do for you?" He asks.
"There is actually but I'm not the one asking you. Nyota has a very important question for you," Moyo explains.
Kweli looks over at the other cubs as they run over before carefully putting the boulder down.
"Hello, Kweli. Good to see you," Nyota begins.
"Likewise," Kweli replies.
"I have been chosen to be the next leader of the lion guard. I need to find new members to assemble my team to help me protect the Pridelands. I would like you to be the strongest member. What do you say?"
"Wait. So you were the one who unleashed that roar this morning?"
Nyota nods.
Kweli bends down into a bowing stance, "I am honoured".
"Great! Moving on," Siku yells, eager to find the next member, "I think I know where to find our bravest member".
"Where and who?" Nguvu asks.
"We gotta go to Hakuna Matata Falls for that member".
The group follows Siku's lead to the falls. The jungle never changes. It was always lush and green with life and a magnificent waterfall stands in the centre of it all.
"Wakati! Wakati where are you?!" Siku calls out.
"Who's Wakati?" Nguvu asks.
"She's a friend of mine. I think she's Bunga's niece and let just say they have a very similar personality," he explains.
As if on cue, they hear a high pitched shout up from the treetops, "Look out below!"
A ball of brown fur jumps out of the tree and plummets towards the group. The ball lands on Kweli and rolls over his head, down his truck and swings off one of his tusks before landing on the ground on her hands.
"Nailed it!" says the ball of fur now revealing herself to be a monkey. "Look! I can do one-handed handstands now too!"
The monkey balances on one hand and grins before standing up and bowing.
"Nicely done Wakati," says Siku as he bumps his paw against her hand.
"Thank you. First time doing it. So what brings my half lion half cheetah friend and his friends here?" She asks.
Siku gives Nyota a look to say that she should be a member. Nyota gives him a nod.
"We're assembling a new lion guard. That really loud roar you heard earlier? Well, that was my sister and we would like you to be the bravest member".
Wakati's light brown eyes widen and so does her smile. "A member of the lion guard?! This is a dream come true! I'm in!"
"Now let's go find our keenest of sight," Nyota orders.
The group leaves the area and looks around for anyone with good eyesight. Nguvu walks beside Nyota and clears his throat to get her attention.
"Hey, Nyota? Can we talk for a sec?"
"Sure".
"My mum wants me and Moyo to help the lion guard in whatever way we can. You don't have to have us as members since it's traditionally five members but we do want to help. We can help fight beside you".
"I'll think about it," she replies with a smile.
Nguvu couldn't help but smile a little too. Nyota looks up at the sky and breaks into a run.
"Come on! I see our keenest of sight!" she yells.
The others hurry to catch up to her. Nguvu squints his eyes as he tries to lookup but the bright sun makes it difficult to spot the bird in the sky. The tiny shadow in the sky gracefully dives down and over the group and makes it's way back into the sky. Nguvu manages to catch the distinctive white feathers, a yellow head and long black legs of an egret.
"Kimya!" Nyota yells, hoping to catch the egret's attention.
The egret flies down to the group and softly lands on the ground.
"Hi there," she says shyly.
"Hey, Kimya, I was wondering if you'd like to be part of the new lion guard?" Nyota begins.
"But isn't there already a lion guard? Your parents are still-"
"I know, I know, but the kings of the past have given me the roar and so I must assemble my own lion guard. I want you to be a part of it. Just like my dad made your father, Ono, a part of his".
Kimya smiles but she looks at her feet as she considers this. She looks at Nyota again with a little twinkle in her eye and a proud smile.
"I accept," she says simply.
Siku runs and jumps around, full of energy while shouting "Wahoo! Five members accounted for! We are the new lion guard!"
Nguvu clears his throat to catch the group's attention and to stop Siku's celebrating, "Do any of you guys know how to fight or work together?"
The new lion guard members look at each other as a cricket chirps a few feet away.
"Well, no. I'm sure with some training, we will manage," Nyota starts.
"We can help you train. Our mum wanted us to be good fighters just in case we're ever needed to fight," Moyo says.
"That's right. We can help. You just have to do what we say," Nguvu replies.
Kweli nods his head in favour of receiving coaching from the two lion cubs.
"I learn best in real danger. Gets the blood pumping if you know what I mean," Wakati says looking at her nails.
"A few tips would be nice," Kimya whispers.
"Very well then. We will do some train-" Nyota begins until she was suddenly
"Training begins tomorrow. Now everyone, go home and get some rest," Nguvu orders.
Kweli, Wakati and Kimya all do as Nguvu say and head home. Even Nguvu and Moyo start making their way back to PrideRock. Nyota looks at Nguvu and her blood couldn't help but boil a little in anger. He is in no position to give orders...but he is going to help them all fighting tips.
"You coming?" Siku asks, snapping Nyota out of her thoughts.
"Yeah. Sorry. Let's go".
She will let them off the hook just this once. Tomorrow is going to be a long day.