The Lion Guard Season 5

Chapter 24: The True Master

{Amani's POV}
Father found another path to the Pridelands, a longer one but it didn't require the Roar to finish. It also didn't take us to the Outlands, it took us to the Backlands, which is worse. The stupid leopards can never leave us alone. They never caused us problems because they feared my father. He is massive compared to them and he said he wiped the floor with them when he was a cub. He hasn't used his Roar in years and he claims it's because he doesn't need it. Still they fear he's gonna roar at them. We finally made it to the Pridelands after a full day of walking. We approached Pride Rock when we were stopped by the Lion Guard, Koda's Lion Guard. Aunt Vitani hasn't given up her job so now they have 2 Guards.
"Hello, Tree of Lifers." Koda said
"That is the single most stupidest name you could've ever come up with." I said
"I concur," Shani laughed "That one is pretty bad."
"I'm trying!" He yelled
"Hello Princess," Dogo said, I could never understand why they allowed Dogo anywhere near them. But it is hilarious to see how Dogo acts around Saka. Since he's supposed to be the bravest.
"Dogo." Saka said
"Um- h-hi Saka." Dogo stuttered. He could never let go of his fear of Saka. Especially since he kept multiple scars from the last time they fought.
"Koda," Father said "Are you forgetting something?"
"Hmm?"
"What are you supposed to do when visitors come to the Pridelands?" Father asked
"Um- I'm, I'm supposed to escort you to the Rock!"
Father nodded and smiled. He never gave me that smile, but he never talks to me one on one anymore.
"Follow me!" Koda exclaimed "I'll escort you to the Queen!"
We started following Koda and his Lion Guard and I grumbled "We don't need an escort to the Rock."
"That's not how it works Amani," Father said "It's about tradition."
"As I recall," I retorted "You never cared for tradition, DAD."
"No, I wasn't," He agreed "But this one is a common courtesy. Someday you will have to do it too."
"Why would a healer need to escort animals."
"Not to places but along the journey of healing," Father elaborated "Didn't Nirmala teach you that?"
"You'd know if my life was at all important to you." I growled quietly, so he couldn't hear it.
"What was that?"
"Nothing."
We made our way to the Rock where we were greeted by Aunt Kiara, Uncle Kovu and Grandfather Simba. They brought us inside the Rock while Koda and his lion guard went to their lair, which they shared with Aunt Vitani and her lion guard. Shani led me, Saka, Asha and her friends to Hakuna Matata Falls and away from the adult because she think we should leave the adults alone for a reason she refused to say. Asha and her snooty friends laid down near the lake's edge and stared into the water. Saka jumped straight in the middle and convinced Shani to join him, though her entrance was more graceful.
"Asha!" One of her friends yelled "This water feels amazing on our fur!"
"Yeah!" The other one exclaimed "It's so relaxing!"
"We're not here for relaxing, girls." Asha said
"What are we here for?"
"We're here to get ready for the Buffalo Wallow." She explained
"And you need to be well rested before it!" The darker furred lioness exclaimed
"And then we need to get you smelling amazing!" The tannish tigon added. Her fur was similar to mine only slightly darker. And it was stripped.
"Don't become as look obsessed as Tifu and Zuri became." Asha said
"What would you idiots know about looks anyways?" I asked, very annoyed
"Excuse you, Tree-Dweller." The tannish one said "I'm the daughter of Zuri. I know all about looking our best."
"Tree-Dweller, seriously? You know that's very derogatory, right?" I said
"Why do you think we said it?" 'Daughter of Zuri' asked
"I don't know, do I look like I can read minds Tazama??" I yelled
"The way you lord around," She yelled back "One would think so!"
"Enough Tazama!" Asha yelled
The tannish tigon laid back down and looked kinda ashamedly at Asha who just glared at her. She then looked at me "As for you Amani," She said to me "Learn your place. This isn't the Tree of Life, you are just a visitor."
"How about we all calm down," Saka said, getting out of the water "Tensions are getting high."
"You're one to talk!" I yelled at him "The last time we were here, YOU attacked Dogo!"
"That was a lapse in judgment that will not be repeated." He explained "Do not make history repeat itself."
"Or what?" I asked "Will I get the Roar if I attack them?!"
"You know the answer to that." Saka said
"All of you, enough!" Shani yelled. We all looked at her "Timon and Pumbaa were kind enough to let us hang around here, do not cause fights."
I rolled my eyes "Oh right, because you are AMAZING at avoiding conflicts."
"One day, you will understand the words you are saying." Shani said "For now, shut up. Stop arguing with the Pridelanders."
"Yeah, stop arguing with us!" Tazama yelled arrogantly
"Say that again and I'll give you a few new stripes on your face." I threatened, unsheathing my claws.
"Like your dear brother gave Dogo?" She mocked
"Worse." I growled
At that time, Zazu came flying down.
"I could feel the tension from high in the sky!" He yelled "What in the Pridelands is going on down here?"
"Amani here is getting on my last nerve." Tazama said
"That's rich coming from the animal who called me a tree-dweller."
"And you deserve it!" Tazama yelled back
"Tazama?" The darker furred lioness asked "Maybe we can talk about this after the Buffalo Wallow?"
"Someone has to say something Tashwa!" Tazama yelled "You can't just back down and run away each time!"
"Yeah Tash'," Asha laughed "You're a little too much like your mom."
"But she's not even my mom! She adopted me." Tashwa sheepishly said "Besides, we're here to get ready for the Buffalo Wallow."
"Precisely! And you are running out of time Asha!" Zazu exclaimed "Go go! The Wallow is beginning!"
"Oh shoot!" Asha hurriedly got up and started running, telling Zazu to get her there as quick as he could. Tazama and Tashwa ran after her, screaming about how she isn't ready yet, but I was just glad to see them leave. Shani scolded me about being polite and "acting like a Princess should" and whatnot. Honestly it was grating and it only stopped once the sun began to set because we had to head back to the Rock. I was wondering how I'd sneak into the volcano but the Master really did take care of it. When night fell, both Lion Guards were alerted by the vultures arrival, telling them that the Outlands is being attacked by a group of lions with birds guiding them. The Lion Guards went to check it out, alerting Aunt Kiara's Pride who rushed after them leaving only the cubs behind. Saka and Shani volunteered to stay behind to protect the rest of us so I had to sneak past them. I was almost caught by Shani but I made the excuse that I couldn't sleep and was going for a stroll. Eguru and a few birds met me and led me to the Caldera without being spotted by the Pridelanders. There, I saw the Master for the first time and he looked scary. A commanding figure whose size towered over the rest of the animals surrounding him. His deep red eyes stared down at me, making me feel small. His deep voice boomed throughout the Caldera as he welcomed me to their lair. I asked him who he wanted me to meet and he led me to the ledge overlooking the lava and exclaimed "The True Master!"
Flames shot through the lava to reveal a lion's head laughing. I cowered back "Wh-who are you?"
"I am Scar," He exclaimed "And I'm your only chance to get the Throne you were promised."
"What?" My ears perked up, my throne?
"Yes," he said "For the duration of your stay, we will train you. Then, only when we decide you are ready, Eguru will bring you back and you will join our ranks."
"Really?" I smiled "Thank you!"
"Do not thank me," He smiled "Thank my son for giving you the opportunity to get all you dreamed of."
"Thank you Master!" I yelled
"You're welcome, Princess."
"There is someone else who you should meet," Scar's voice boomed throughout the Caldera, louder than the Master's "She shares your desires though not your reasons."
"Who?"
"Soldier!" Scar yelled "Come forth!"
A lioness emerged through the shadows. Her fur was reminiscent of Father's and her eyes like Grandfather Simba's. A scar along her left eye and one under her lip. Scars strewn across her body like tiger stripes and hatred in her eyes, as if placed there. I couldn't believe my eyes, I recognized her. But it couldn't be, she died! They said she fell into a ravine and died!
"Leah?" I asked, unsure if it was really her because she wasn't walking on a limp anymore.
"Hello cousin," The lioness answered "It's good to see you again. You look more like Mom than ever."