Lion Guard United

Royal Guys Night

Bunga watched as Kion was still in a state of panicking. The honey badger didn't know what the big deal was but the lion was still acting as if the sky was about to come crashing down over him. Zazu had flown to the Outlands while Ono flew to the falls to deliver the message was the same when it was delivered to Kopa, Kovu, Nuka and Kion. They were invited by their father on an outing to the springs in the Backlands. It was going to be a day with just the male lions.

"Seriously, Kion. It doesn't sound bad to me. At all," Bunga groaned, watching his mate pacing back and forth.

"I know. It shouldn't be but..." Kion sighed and came to a stop. Even though he knew Bunga would listen to his problems and help him out, the lion was still opposed to telling why he was reluctant to go. "Alright, I'll go."

"Great," Bunga smiled as he climbed into one of the Fall's many pools. "You deserve a day off."

"But I hardly do anything anymore..." Kion pouted to himself. With nothing else to do he bid his mate goodbye and went off for Pride Rock. The idea of spending the day with the other lions did sound appealing on the surface but Kion knew very well that all that would be talked about would be matters of royalty. Being crowned king and their mates becoming queens.

It was something that the young lion came to realize when the next kings and queens were decided. He was the only member of the royal family that had no royal position. There was no kingdom for him to rule over and none that answered to him. If anything his position as Lion Guard meant he had to serve others. Upon really thinking about it Kion came to realize that out of all the royal lions, he was owed the least amount of respect.

Of course as he was there to help his clan most were kind and respectful towards him. But there were also many in the lands that wanted their problems solved quickly and saw fit to bark orders at the Lion Guard leader that took time out of their day to assist them. Since there was peace in the Pride Lands most of the 'problems' were menial and could be done all by himself and at most Bunga by his side. Soon the other Guard members started to focus on other matters. Beshte became the new leader of the hippo pod. Ono was in position to succeed Zazu as the royal assistant and Fuli was right next to Jasiri in leading the hyena clan and managing a large part of the Outlands.

Everything his friends were doing was something respectable and admirable. But the very prince of the Pride Lands had no new feats. He even moved out of Pride Rock, spending his days at the falls with his mate. He loved his new home and he certainly cherished each day with Bunga at his side but Kion couldn't help but wish for more. The problem came about when he realized that he had no idea what he wanted to do. And to hear that his siblings were going to rule over lands of all things only made him feel worse about where he was.

Upon reaching Pride Rock, Kion pushed those thoughts to the back of his head and forced a smile on his muzzle. He soon saw Kopa and Nuka approaching.

"Kion. You're coming too?" Nuka asked upon seeing his brother in law.

"Yeah. You didn't know. Kovu's going to be there too," Kion explained.

"I've been a long time since I've been beyond the Outlands and Pride Lands," Kopa mused aloud.

"I've never been out there at all," Kion admitted. He couldn't help but chalk that up as something else that Kopa had over him.

"You're all here," Simba called from above, walking down Pride Rock with Kovu following next to him. "Perfect. It's not that far away and we should get there by the afternoon. We'll be able to spend the rest of the day relaxing."

"Sounds great," Kopa smiled.

"What's the Backlands like?" Kovu asked out of curiosity.

"The Backlands are not too different from the Pride Lands," Kopa explained.