Kion woke up to his sister's voice coming from outside the Lair.  It was just dawn, the Savannah Summit happening at noon.

"Kion?"  Kiara called.

Kion walked out to meet her.

"What's wrong, Kiara?"  he asked.

"I'm worried about the Savannah Summit," Kiara explained.  "I've been to it many times, but never run it.  And neither has Kovu.  We're going have to sing in it."

"Don't worry, Kiara," Kion assured, walking with the lioness away from the Lair.  "It may not be the same as Simba's, but you'll do great.  I have the same worries about the Ukumbusho.  It'll get complicated with the two Guards."

"You have Fuli," Kiara said.  "And you.  Both of you sing so well."

"That's the second time I've heard that," Kion said.  "And I still don't believe it."

"But you do," Kiara insisted.  "I wish you could help me."

"I'm surprised Zazu isn't doing it," Kion responded.  "But it's you and Kovu."

"Kiara!"  Simba's voice called.  "Come over here!"

Noon had come, and the Guard was at the back of line up.

"Don't think I didn't forget your love for music," Kion teased Fuli.  "I saw you dancing last time we did this.  Not to mention you were always the one who sang differently than the rest of the Guard."

"Seriously?"  Fuli responded.  "I don't like it that much."

"Well, it's starting," Kion said.  "And I want to hear Kiara sing.  Don't think I have since my coronation."

[Kiara]

Welcome, everybody

We're glad you're all here

There's so much to discuss

As the dry season is near

[Kovu]

Once that we have gathered,

Collaboration is a must

If you want to keep up peace,

We'll need to build some trust

[Kiara & Kovu]

So let's all come together 

Species of all kinds 

Join us for the summit 

And say what's on your minds 

There's so much 

We can learn 

So much trust 

We can earn 

We'll meet and we'll greet 

'Til our work is complete 

Good will can be found 

As we gather around 

And everyone, yes, 

Everyone is welcome

[Kiara]

Let's listen to each other 

We're all on equal ground 

Though we might not see eye to eye 

Solutions will be found

[Kovu]

Elephants, giraffes, gazelles, Buffalo to name a few

[Kiara]

Everyone has equal say

[Kovu]

All animals do

[Kiara & Kovu]

So let's all come together 

Species of all kinds 

Join us for the summit

 And say what's on your minds

[Kiara]

And say what's on your minds!

[Kiara & Kovu]

There's so much we can learn 

So much trust we can earn 

We'll meet and we'll greet

[Kiara]

But perhaps we won't eat

[Kiara & Kovu]

Good will can be found 

As we gather around 

And everyone, yes, 

Everyone is welcome 

Oh, ho, everyone, yes, 

Everyone is welcome

Kion looked at Fuli, who seemed a little embarrassed.  She had been dancing all throughout it, something that didn't seem Fuli-like at all.

"Kion?"  Kiara came up to her brother.

"Hey, Kiara," Kion responded.  "You did well."

"Kion?  Fuli?"  Vitani asked.  "Can I talk to you two?"

"I'll be back, Kiara," Kion walked over to Vitani beside Fuli.  "What's wrong?"

"This reminded me of the Ukumbusho," Vitani explained.  "I've never done one with my Guard before, and as I understand it, it's only ever been done with one Guard."

"I had the same thoughts," Kion said.  "Once the Summit's over, I think we'll be able to figure something out.  It's in a week."

Fuli shuddered.

"Do I have to get paint on myself again?"  she asked.  She had been reluctantly putting up with the paint in the second one, but she wouldn't get paint on herself a third time.

"I think it'll be fine this year," Kion chuckled.  "But I know Bunga will want it."

"Paint?"  Vitani asked.

"Long story," Kion responded.  "Since the Guard wasn't all lions last time we did this, we needed paint.  Paint that there wasn't enough of.  So, Makini used flowers, and then bees ruined it."

"But now there's-" Vitani was cut off by a chirp.

Fuli rolled her eyes.

"Harako knows about the Savannah Summit," she said.  "But he couldn't think of a more creative way to get our attention?"

"Can you see anything, Fuli?"  Kion asked.

"Too low on the ground," Fuli responded, looking around for a rock.  She found one and jumped on it.

"Harako's pushing through the crowd looking for Kukimb," she reported.  "None of the animals recognize him, so they aren't suspicious."

"Get to Kukimb before he can," Kion ordered.  "You're the fastest here.  Vitani and I will catch up."

"Right," Fuli responded, running off.

"I'm still amazed at how well they follow all your orders," Vitani responded.  "I wish I could get them to do that."

"They trust me," Kion responded.  "Just give it time.  But there is something in the Lair that might help."

Kion ran off to catch up with Fuli.

"Kukimb," Fuli muttered to her brother once they had blended into the crowd again.  "Harako's here."

"Harako?"  Kukimb asked.  He looked at his left shoulder, as if remembering what Harako did to him.  "I'd like to get rid of him with his blood on my paws."

"I know," Fuli said.  "I'm surprised he's still alive.  I saw the Roar Kion made.  That should've killed him."

"You can't underestimate our father," Kukimb growled.  "He's done the same things that he did to you to the lionesses.  He even threatened to do it to me."

Fuli shuddered.

"They're probably still shocked," she said.  "I'll need to talk to them when we sort this out.  It sucks.  At least I got myself off those herbs before we had to go to the Tree of Life."

"I saw Harako give the lionesses some herbs," Kukimb commented.

"It was only once for them," Fuli said.  "Harako made me do it for almost everyday when I was a cub.  It was only about a month before we fought Scar that I did it.  I knew sometime we would have to fight him, so it'd be better if I wasn't feeling sick from not eating them."

"Do you think Harako might take them back?"  Kukimb asked.

"I won't let that happen," Fuli said.  "He'll take them over my dead body."

"That's exactly how it might go, you know?"  Kukimb asked.  "Harako won't have a problem killing you to get what he wants."

"I don't even think he's Harako anymore," Fuli responded.  "And honestly, I'd prefer Harako over who Kion and I think he is."

"Who?"  Kukimb asked.

"Scar," Kion said gravely, making Kukimb jump.

"Kion!"  he exclaimed.  "I didn't see you there."

Kion nodded.

[Scar was in my head earlier yesterday,] he told Fuli privately.  [I don't know if we should tell the Guard, though.  I don't want them to worry.  But I want them to know if I start losing control again.]

[Let's stick to what we agreed to,] Fuli suggested.  [We'll keep it a secret as long as it doesn't hurt anybody.  Or if it starts really hindering your performance as leader.]

[Asante, Fuuls,] Kion said.  [I don't know what I'd do without you.]

[You'd be fine,] Fuli said.  [But we have a bigger problem.  Look!]

"Hello, Fuli, Kion, Kukimb," Harako said.  "I see you've noticed my new host.  Kion wasn't as easy to corrupt as I thought he'd be.  But I've found the perfect host."

Something flashed through Kion's head.  A scar.  On yellow fur across a green eye.  Looking at Harako, he could see the cheetah was rearing up a paw with his gaze locked on Fuli.

"Fuli!"  Kion tackled his mate, feeling the wind of Harako's claw.

"Hmm," Harako mused.  "Interesting.  You'd rather suffer another scar than let that cheetah get hurt."

"'That cheetah' is my mate," Kion stepped up, blocking Harako's range.  "And I don't want her to go through what I've gone through.  I don't want anyone to go through it.  I'll go through it again before I let it happen to anyone else."

"Well," Harako's gaze flitted around, looking for the right target.  "There's one animal that you care about that I can get."

Bunga?  Kion thought.  No, he's way too agile for Harako to catch him and give him a scar.  A scar.  An animal I care about.

[Fuli,] Kion ordered through thought, [try to find Rani.]

[She's with Kiara and Kovu,] Fuli responded.  [Why-oh.]

[Let's go,] Kion said.  "Kukimb, follow us."

"Right," Kukimb fell in line beside Fuli.  Now that he was part of the Guard, he could see how well Kion led.

"Kion?"  Kiara asked.  "Where were you?"

"After Vitani wanted to talk to me, Fuli saw Harako," Kion explained.  "He's possessed by Scar now.  And he tried to give Fuli a scar.  I think he's going to try to get to you next, Rani."

"Why me?"  Rani asked with a quick glance at her right foreleg.

"You have a scar," Kion explained.  "And Scar knows the exact thing to say to get you.  It's the same for you, Kovu.  Scar will try."

"I've almost been brainwashed  by Zira," Kovu said.  "Kiara's the only one who stopped that.  I won't let it happen again."

Kion almost jumped at the tone of Kovu's voice.  He had never used that tone before.  Kovu always seemed to be shy.  Kovu gave a nervous chuckle.

"Sorry," he said.  "I just remember what not thinking for myself was like.  I don't want anyone to go through that."

"I know," Kion said.  "I understand.  And Ran, even though you're not my mate anymore, you're still my family."

"Thanks, Kion," Rani said.  "This scar was by a venomous snake, though.  I was just lucky, living at the Tree of Life.  It was healed fairly quickly."

"But I can change that, Rani," Scar's voice said from behind Rani.  He was still in Harako's body.  "You, too, Kovu."

"No," Kovu said.  "Zira was bad enough.  I've promised myself not to fall for any tricks anymore."

"I'm your father, Kovu," Scar said.  "Isn't that enough for you to trust me?"

"You're not my father," Kovu said.  "I was a hand-picked heir to the throne.  You played no part in raising me, either."

"That's Simba's fault," Scar responded.  "I thought Zira raised you to hate him."

"She did," Kovu said.  "But I met Kiara.  I love her, and then I realized that I couldn't kill Simba.  I couldn't do that to her.  And now that I've actually gotten to know Simba, I like him."

"Zira failed me," Scar growled.  "I can see that she's dead along with Nuka.  That useless scrap of fur."

Kovu fought the urge to defend his brother.  There was nothing he could say.  Scar was right for once.

"But you and Vitani haven't just failed me," Scar growled.  "You've both betrayed me.  I can punish you for it, but I think it'd be better to let you watch your family suffer."

When Scar finished speaking, Kion put a paw to his scar.  Fuli started to walk up to him, but he flicked his tail, warning her to stay away.

"Maybe you've grown more resilient than I thought, Kion," Scar said, then Kion put his paw down.  He was trying to stop himself from panting.

"Very well," Scar said.  He ran off, presumably away from the Pride Lands.

Fuli walked up to Kion tentatively.

"You okay?"  she asked.

"I think," Kion responded.  I'm calm.  That's good.

"Is everybody okay?"  Kion asked the group.

"I'm good," Kovu said.

"Same here," Rani said.

"Yep," Kukimb agreed.

"I didn't see you there," Kiara said, looking at Kukimb's shoulder.  "And I don't think I've seen you before.  But you're still part of the Guard?"

"Oh," Kukimb said.  "I'm Fuli's brother.  They rescued me from Harako yesterday."

"He showed his strength of heart," Kion explained.  "He's the Strongest of Heart.  I actually don't think he's been introduced to the Guard properly yet."

"Before you go, Kai, can I tell you something?"  Rani asked.

"What is it?"  Kion asked, happy that Rani had called him "Kai".  Their talk had helped.

"The Night Pride and I are heading to the Tree," she explained.  "I don't feel like it's safe anymore.  If you need me or anybody, send a messenger.  We'll come as soon as possible."

"Right," Kion said.  He nudged Rani playfully.  "You're free to visit at anytime, as well."

"Dhanyavaad, Kion," Rani said.  "Thanks.  For everything."

Kion, Fuli, and Kukimb caught up with the Guard, who had chased Harako away.

"I think I need to properly introduce someone to you," Kion said once they all settled down.  "This is Kukimb.  He's Fuli's brother.  Kukimb, this is the Lion Guard."

The Lion Guard introduced themselves.  It was noon, so they should have enough time.  If Fuli was right, the cave would be different and match the Guard now.  Kion exchanged a look with Fuli.  She gave a slight nod, flicking her tail from Kion to Vitani.

"Vitani?"  Kion asked.  "Can I talk to you?"

"What is it?"  Vitani followed Kion to the front of the group.

"You know how you don't feel like you're fit to lead, right?"  Kion asked.

"I'm not fit to lead," Vitani said.  "I can't do it as well as you."

"But you can," Kion said.  "I've seen you."

They stopped at the half painting of the Mark of Evil.

"Uh, Kion?"  Ono said.  "Haven't we been through this before?"

"Vitani's Guard hasn't," Kion said, "and Fuli thinks it's changed."

"Been through what?"  Vitani asked.

"We'll leave that to you to figure out," Kion stepped back.  "You're the leader of the Lion Guard now."

"Um, alright," Vitani said.  She turned to a lioness.  "Imara?  Can you push that rock?"

"Got it, Vitani," Imara pressed herself against the rock with grunts of effort.  The rock moved out of they way, revealing a cave.

"Let's go!"  Bunga exclaimed.  "Zuka-"

Fuli interrupted him by putting a paw in front of him.

"Vitani's leading, remember?"  she asked.  "If there's a second test for the bravest, I'm sure Vitani will let you have it."

"Let's head deeper into here," Vitani suggested.  "I see a painting."

A painting, Kion and Fuli exchanged glances.  The last time they did it was with Makini.  Makini was still at the Tree.  Nonetheless, they all followed Vitani, who placed her left paw on the painting, causing it to move.  It showed the original Lion Guard falling through the floor.

"The Lion Guard falling through the floor?"  Vitani asked.  "Are you seeing the same thing, Kion?"

[Don't tell her too much,] Fuli warned.   [We need to let her and her Guard figure this out themselves.]

[Don't worry, Fuuls,] Kion said.  [I'll act as her second in command.]

Kion walked up to the painting and placed his left paw on it.  The original Lion Guard falling through the floor.

"If you mean the Lion Guard falling through the floor," he told Vitani, "I'm seeing it."

"What's it supposed-" Vitani started, only to get cut off by the floor cracking.  It opened, causing the whole Lion Guard to drop down.  They were sliding down into fire.  Kion fought the urge to call Beshte to stop them.

[Remember,] he told his Guard, [Vitani's the leader of the Lion Guard.]

"Imara!"  Vitani called.  "Beshte!"

"On it!"  Imara and Beshte responded, sliding to the front of the group.  They took the weight of the other animals.

"Okay," Vitani said to herself.  "What do we do now?  Ono and Anga can fly back up, but what about the rest of us?"

"I don't think we're supposed to go back up," Shabaha said.  "Look!"

There was a slide down.

"Thanks, Shabaha," Vitani followed the Bravest down the slide, the Guard behind her.  Once they were on level ground, they started running.  Almost all of them stopped at thorn bushes, except for Bunga and Shabaha.

"Bunga!"  Kion exclaimed.

"Shabaha!"  Vitani exclaimed at the same time.

"It's fine!"  Shabaha said.  "They aren't real!"

Vitani and Kion exchanged glances.

"I guess we could try," Vitani tentatively walked into the bushes and phased through it.  The Guard followed her, coming to the end.  There was just a wall.

"This has changed, Fuli," Kion said quietly.  "I wonder what Kukimb's test will be."

"Or Ono's," Fuli agreed.  "Both of those aren't physical qualities."

Vitani looked at the wall.  Lucky we had Beshte and Imara back there.  And lucky we had Shabaha and Bunga in those thorn bushes.  Wait.  Maybe we're not lucky to have them here...

"Tests," she said under her breath, then turned to Kion.  "These are tests, aren't they?"

Kion smiled.

"Yep," he said.  "And it's up to you to lead us through them."

"But not all these tests are for the Fiercest," Vitani said to herself.  What Kion had told her earlier had finally sunk in.  He let the Guard lead themselves, stepping up when he saw necessary.  She had been trying to lead strictly, to no avail.

"Lion Guard?"  Vitani asked.  "What do you think we should do?"

"If I could get to a higher spot," Tazama said.  "I might be able to see something."

Tazama dug her claws into the rock and tried to climb it, but she couldn't.

"Anga?"  Vitani asked.  "Can you see anything?"

Anga flew up to the top.

"It's a thin wall," she said.  "But no way through."

"There might not be a way through," Ono said.  "But you can make one, Vitani."

"Is it safe to do it down here?"  Vitani asked.  "I can't see the clouds, so I won't be able to tell if I'm using it properly."

"Free your mind from anger and from fear," Kion said.  "The control that you seek will be near."

"Now you're sounding like a Lion of the Past," Vitani said.

"It's something Askari told me," Kion explained.  "Have you mastered the Roar yet?"

"Not yet," Vitani said.  "I still need to prove to myself that I don't need the Roar."

"This is your chance, Vitani," Kion said.  "Find a way around this wall."

Vitani nodded, walking along the perimeter of the wall.  Anga could fly up above the wall, so there might be enough room to get over.

"How much room is above the wall?"  Vitani asked Anga.

"More than enough room for a fully-grown lion," Anga responded.

"Can I try something, Vitani?"  Shabaha asked.

"Go for it," Vitani responded.

Shabaha ran up to the wall and jumped, digging her claws in halfway through.  She slid down as she almost got up.

"Hey, Fuuls?"  Kion asked.

"What is it, Kai?"  Fuli responded.

"I don't even know is this test is meant for Vitani," Kion explained quietly.  "I can see a way up, but that would require mastery of the Roar."

"Maybe you can help her," Fuli suggested.  "Look.  There's a huge area."

"Thanks, Fuuls," Kion said before walking up to Vitani.  "Vitani, follow me."

Kion led Vitani to the area Fuli pointed out.  It was huge, and lead to an escarpment almost exactly like Cikha Escarpment.  Kion was surprised that he didn't know it existed; it was out in the open.

"Deep within, you know that you don't need the Roar, 'Tani," Kion assured.  "Just believe in yourself."

"Really?"  Vitani asked.

"Trust me," Kion said.  "You led the Guard without the Roar before."

[Kion]

Here you stand on the edge of earth and sky

You can command them both, if you try

Look within, you may find even more

As you learn the power of the Roar

The power of the Roar

The power of the Roar

It dwells inside of you

And all around you

In ways you've never seen before

The power of the Roar

The power of the Roar

Once you think you've found it all,

You'll find that there's still so much more

Free yourself from anger and from fear

The control that you seek will be near

Though the Roar goes far beyond wind and sound,

It can impact everything all around

The power of the Roar

The power of the Roar

It dwells inside of you

And all around you

In ways you've never seen before

The power of the Roar

The power of the Roar

Once you think you've found it all,

You'll find that there's still so much more

The power of the Roar

"Wow," Vitani breathed.  "The Roar is amazing."

"You see how we can get over the wall?"  Kion guessed.

"I'll try," Vitani said.  "But you're right.  I led the Guard without the Roar before.  I can do it now."

"Let's go," Kion walked back inside, followed by Vitani.

"That took a while," Anga observed.

"The Roar isn't the easiest thing to master," Kion explained.  "But Vitani's done it."

"This will be faster if you help, Kion," Vitani said.  "Is that okay?"

"I'll help my Guard over," Kion agreed.  "You help your Guard."

"Right," Vitani turned to her Guard.

"Bunga?"  Kion asked.  "Wanna go first?"

"Sure!"  Bunga exclaimed.  "What is it?"

Kion Roared, creating a whirlwind around Bunga.

"You can try it for the whole Guard," Fuli suggested.

Kion nodded, making the whirlwind bigger to surround his Guard except him.   They went up and over the wall.

[Everybody okay?]  Kion asked.

[We're all fine,] Fuli said. [Vitani's Guard is down here, too.]

[Good,] Kion responded.  [Vitani and I will be there soon.]

"Vitani?"  Kion asked.  "You want to get us over?"

"Sure," Vitani agreed.  She Roared, creating a whirlwind to surround her and Kion, lifting them over the wall.

"We've had three tests," Imara said.  "Strongest, Fiercest, and Bravest.  Fastest, Keenest of Sight, Smartest, and Strongest of Heart next."

"Or, there's no more tests," Vitani said.  "Look."

The Guard came up to Vitani and walked into the cave she was standing at.

"This wasn't a series of tests?"  Fuli asked Kion.

"Not at all," Kion smiled, watching Imara congratulate Vitani on leading the Guard throughout these tests.  "It was just to show Vitani she was able to lead the Guard well.  I wouldn't doubt her making Imara second in command, either.  Look at them together.  Reminds me of a certain cheetah and a certain lion."

"Yeah," Fuli chuckled.  "I just hope that they won't make the same mistake we did.  They don't need to be mates with male lions."

"I'll ask Vitani how she thinks about Imara later," Kion said.  "If one of us encourages her, she might take it better than Kovu or Kiara encouraging her."

"I'll ask Imara, then," Fuli said.  "See how they feel about each other."

Before Kion could respond, a rock rolled down, blocking the tunnel and coming falling towards them.  He whirled around and faced the rock, his eyes glinting.  He Roared, shattering the rock to pieces.

"Whoa," Shabaha breathed.

"You okay, Kion?"  Fuli asked.  She had never seen him use the Roar with that little warning before.

"I'm good," Kion said.  "Is anybody hurt?"

No answer, something Kion took as a good sign.

"So, I've finally found you, Lion Guard," Harako's body came walking into the entrance.

"Scar," Kion growled.  "What are you doing here?"

"I was once on the Lion Guard, wasn't I?"  Scar responded.  "I should be allowed in here."

"The Great Lions of the Past stripped you of the Roar for reason," Kion growled.  "You killed your own brother."

That startled Scar for a second.  He remembered the moment of hesitation he had before he dropped Mufasa into the canyon.  To kill a lion of his own blood.

"It was necessary," Scar growled.  "If I didn't kill him, I would've never been king."

"You weren't a good king," Kukimb went up to Kion's side.  "I know what you were like.  You overhunted the Pride Lands.  You don't deserve to be in power."

"And you do, I presume?"  Scar growled.

"Not at all," Kukimb said.  "I haven't done anything at all.  The proper Royal Family deserves it.  Not you.  You don't deserve power at all."

"Kukimb's right," Fuli stepped up to her mate's other side.  "Kion?"

Kion looked up.

"'Tani?" he asked.  "Mind helping me here?"

"Of course," Vitani stepped up to beside Kion, who had stepped in front of Kukimb and Fuli.

"You can't defeat me," Scar said.

"No, I can't," Kion agreed.  "But we can."

Kion and Vitani Roared, directing its full strength towards Harako, sending flying out of the Lair.  Scar's spirit flew out of Harako's body.

"You okay, 'Tani?"  Imara asked, seeing the two lions panted.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Vitani looked at Kion.  "I know that I interrupted your and Fuli's break earlier on in the week.  If you two want, I can take over the Guard for now."

"Asante, Vitani," Kion said.  "Before we do, I need to talk to you alone."

Kion led Vitani to behind Pride Rock.

"What is it?"  Vitani asked.

"I saw you and Imara together," Kion said.

"I-it's not that," Vitani looked away.  "We're both female.  It-"

"Look at who you're talking to, 'Tani," Kion interrupted.  "I'm mates with a cheetah.  If you really do love Imara, ask her.  She might feel the same way."

"Asante, Kion," Vitani said, looking at the lion.  "I probably would've asked her sooner, but I was worried about what everyone would say.  Kovu mainly."

"I just don't want you to make the same mistake Fuli and I did," Kion said.  "While Rani is a great lioness, I like Fuli better."

"Again, Asante," Vitani said.  "I'll tell you how it went when you get back."

[Fuli?]  Kion asked.  [Are you ready for our actual break?]

[Yep,] Fuli responded.  [Meet you at Hakuna Matata Falls?]

[Meet you there,] Kion started his walk towards Hakuna Matata Falls.  Once he reached there, he saw Fuli waiting for him.

"Let's go to the Back Lands," Kion suggested.  "And actually relax."

"It'll be fun," Fuli agreed.  They walked to the Back Lands together.

Kion licked Fuli's cheek once they got there.

"We need to find a den," he said.