Resurrection and Return

Chapter 2: Unwelcomed

"Doesn't matter, Kion!" Rani snapped. "You tried to kill me, and you have the mark of evil. You can't come to the Tree of Life!"

"What?!" Kion cried.

"You might hurt all the animals at the Tree of Life!" Rani continued. "You can't come in!"

"I–I'm so sorry," Kion pleaded. "Please allow me to enter. I need healing!"

Nirmala stepped beside Rani and gently placed a paw on her back, trying to soothe her. Instead, it only made Rani more determined.

"Calm down, Rani," Nirmala said. "It was an honest mistake. His scar was controlling him."

"Doesn't matter, Nirmala!" Rani insisted. "He can't enter!"

Kion felt the weight of shame and sadness crash down on him all at once. Without another word, he turned and ran.

"Kion, come back!" the Lion Guard shouted. "Where are you going?!"

Fuli's eyes widened. "Anga! Go after him!"

"Sure thing," Anga replied.

She took to the sky, scanning the land below. Eventually, she spotted Kion circling around the Tree of Life, but never toward it. Anga swooped down and landed directly in front of him.

"Anga?" Kion said, skidding to a stop. "What are you doing here?!"

"Kion, what's gotten into you?" she asked. "Why are you running away?"

"I can't do this anymore," Kion said quietly. "If I can't be healed and if I can hurt others, then I shouldn't stay near my loved ones. I'm running away. If I'm alone, I can't hurt anyone."

"Kion, please don't run away," Anga begged. "We all know it was an accident!"

"The Night Pride, Rani at least, won't allow me in," Kion said, his voice breaking. "So I have nothing else to do. I'll see you again... I guess. Tell the rest of the Guard not to come after me."

Tears streamed down his face as he bolted past her, never looking back.

Anga hovered in the air for a moment before turning and flying back toward the Tree of Life.

When she landed near the pass, Fuli rushed forward immediately.

"Anga! What happened? Where's Kion?"

"He said he's running away," Anga replied through tears. "He doesn't want to hurt anyone, so he's going to isolate himself... for good. He said he probably won't come back unless he's healed."

The Lion Guard began to tear up. Even the Night Pride looked troubled. Rani's expression slowly shifted as guilt crept in.

"Everyone," Rani said quietly, "I apologize for my actions and my attitude toward Kion. I shouldn't have gotten angry at him. I am sorry."

Bunga glared at her.

"Sorry?" he snapped. "Sorry isn't going to bring back my best friend!"

"Bunga, calm down," Fuli said gently. "We'll find a way to bring him back and to heal him. Right now, let's just focus on entering the Tree of Life, okay?"

Bunga sighed. "Okay, Fuli."

The Night Pride led the Lion Guard through the pass and into the Tree of Life. As it came into view, the Guard stared in awe.

"This place is beautiful," Fuli said softly.

"Yep," Anga agreed.

"Poa," Beshte added.

"This place is UNBUNGALIEVABLE!" Bunga shouted.

Ono tilted his head. "Wait—what? What are we looking at right now, guys?"

"It's okay, Ono," Beshte said kindly. "You'll have your sight back soon. And when you do, you'll see the Tree of Life for yourself."

Rani chuckled lightly. "Come on, Lion Guard. Let's visit the Queen."

Meanwhile...

Kion had been running for a long time before exhaustion finally forced him to stop. Hunger gnawed at him, and he quickly hunted a nearby gazelle. After eating, he collapsed onto the ground, thoughts swirling.

"Why did I have to lose control like that?" he muttered. "I could've been inside the Tree of Life getting healed right now. Now it's impossible."

He lay there for a while before pushing himself to his feet.

"Crying isn't going to do anything," he said. "But what do I do now? I don't know the way home... and I don't even know where I am."

Kion climbed onto a secluded plateau and lifted his head toward the sky.

"Grandfather Mufasa."

The clouds began to glow, and the figure of a great lion appeared among them.

"Yes, Kion," Mufasa said. "I am here. Something troubles you."

Kion took a shaky breath. "I arrived at the Tree of Life to heal my scar. But after a rockslide, I lost control and attacked their leader, Rani. I said it was an accident, but I was told I was never welcome there. So I ran away... and now I can't heal my scar, and I can't be near my friends or family."

He broke down into tears.

"Kion," Mufasa said calmly, "first, calm down."

Kion steadied himself.

"Even if you were banished from the Tree of Life," Mufasa continued, "that doesn't mean there isn't another way to heal your scar. You can heal it, and you will be reunited with your friends and family, if you try."

"But how?" Kion asked.

"Even on the darkest day, you can find hope," Mufasa said. "Trust yourself. Learn to control your emotions. And if you ever need guidance, I will always be here."

"Thank you, Grandfather Mufasa," Kion said softly.

Mufasa bowed his head and slowly faded into the clouds.

Kion turned and continued walking, determined to find a way to heal his scar and reunite with those he loved.